Bearing #39 and Bushing #40 on Pixies and Alphas

[ChuckE]

I just did the Bearing #39 and Bushing #40 on several reels, to improve performance of the level wind worm. I did 2 Pixies and 6 Alphas (Alphas F, itos and original). The mod is very straight forward, and by the time I got to the last 2 reels, I had it down to about 20 minutes to make the mod on a reel.

Funny thing is, I did not need to use a spacer washer on any of these reels, as reported by a few other forum members. All fit perfectly with the bearing and bushing, and there was only about .1 mm endplay on the worm after modification, and the worm drive gear did not contact the A/R Ratchet or drive gears at all. [In fact, I put a .2 mm thick washer between the drive gear and the bushing, and you could tell that the worm was too tight--restricting free movement of the worm.]

The bearing used for the mod is 5x8x2.5, and the bushing is 5x6x2 mm. The original spacer that you replace is 4.5mm thick. Total cost of parts was about $11 per reel.

My fishing partner and I will begin testing these reels on the water this weekend, but so far we've noticed that most of the reels are slightly quieter when cranking (without a load on the line), but we couldn't hear much change after doing this on 2 of the Alphas. There was also no real difference we could feel while cranking a reel that had been modified vs one that had not (modified pixy vs one that wasn't, modified ito vs one that wasn't, etc.). Although the taper on the Daiwa worms isn't the best for smoothness, this wasn't totally unexpected, since the real difference should be noticed when the worm is under more load (like when fighting a fish or pulling a wide crankbait).

We checked for this in the yard, by reeling with weight on the line, using a pulley with 3# and 5# test weights. The results were definately apparent on all but 1 of the original Alphas reels, (there wasn't much difference compared to an unmodified reel). But the final testing will be done on the water over the next 6 weeks or so. We'll compare modified and unmodified reels side by and will report our findings. If it is worth while, we'll modify a Sol, and remaining Pixies and Alphas.

...more to follow.

Chuck

[Scot]

Yeah...it's a real easy mod.....just put the parts in. What I may do this winter is come up with a little design to house a bearing on the clip side of the worm gear as well

[ChuckE]

scot,
It is to bad that they didn't use a mini two way thrust bearing on that side of the reel. It would sure take a lot of axial force from the worm off the bearing (or bushing) in one direction and the washer/clip in the other. That would make the fairly fast taper of the worm work smoother too. Like you said, it would almost have to sit external to the frame, given the configuration of the bushing/washer on that side--not much shaft to work with.

Chuck

[D.R.]

Chuck,

I'm glad you did the conversions. It does make a differance under load. I had to use a spacer on my Sol. That was the only addition to my conversions so far. I am taking my Fuego and 2 - 103F with me to the mountains to convert.

D.R.

God Bless

[ChuckE]

DR,
Good info, I'll keep the spacer washers handy if/when I do the Sol. I wonder if the worm itself is a little longer on the Sol, or if the drive shaft sits a little higher in the bottom bearing pocket, which makes the worm gear contact the A/R Ratchet after the mod. I'll be sure to take some comparison measurements when I have the Sol and Alphas both open at the same time.

Chuck

[just4kix]

Hey chuckE, thanks for the tinkering! I have to admit however, not sure what is being refered to as the spacer washer? Is it already an existing part that comes with the reel or purchased seperately due to improper fit? I've installed the parts three times for an Alphas Ito, F and 103 by only needing the ordered parts? Let me know please.

[ChuckE]

j4k,
For the Alphas (original, ito and F) and the Pixies you'll only need part #39 and 40. For the Sol, you'll apparently need #39, #40 and a small thin 5mm id washer to go between the worm drive gear and the new bushing--I don't know if the worm is a little longer on the Sol or if the drive shaft sits a little higher on the frame--but without the .1 to .2 mm thick washer, the worm drive gear will occassionally contact the A/R Ratchet. I haven't modified my Sol, but will take some measurements when I do, to try to figure out why.

Chuck

[just4kix]

Thanks for clearing that up Chuck. Please report your findings when able. As always, much appreciated!

[D.R.]

J4K,

I agree with Chuck. So far the only reel I have had to put the washer in is the SOL. The Alphas (ito, F's, and 103') and the Fuego did not need the washer.

D.R.

[just4kix]

Thanks for the confirmation Sir!

[illini]

One bearing is better then none atleast its on the gear side where you need it the most. Once they get broke in with the new bearing youll notice it. My ABU 2500 has just one bearing in the levelwind i can really tell a big difference in just that one bearing.

[Scot]

[D.R.]

Scot,

I don't know if I would want a glass bearing on the worm gear. The worm gear takes the inital shock when setting the hook. I don't think thay would stand up. I may be wrong. My wife says I always am.

[Scot]

You know what...I just looked up the capacities for these bearings and the dynamic load is only 17 lbs. for small diameter bearings
Could you imagine

I have my Gump moments

OK...strike that.....

From this point forward use my tips at your own risk

[D.R.]

Chuck.

I have put bearing #39 and collar (spacer) #40 on 1- Sol, 1- Fuego, 1- ito, 2- F's, and 4- 103's and only the Sol had to have a spacer washer. I tore it back down this morning about 3:00 AM and could not for the life of me figure out why. I have measured marked compaired and prayed. Nothing short of devine intervintion will solve this problem.

I put it back together with out the washer. Not. It had the same grinding sound as it rubbed against the A/R Ratchet. I put the spacer washer back in, smooth as silk. Go figure.

Eather my Sol or my tinkering has a flaw. And my Sol checkes out and measures out perfect. That leaves me.

D.R.

God Bless