Daiwa PX68L JDM not so smooth

[Dalleinf]

Hello,
I have been using a Daiwa PX68L JDM on approx. 5 fishing trips. So far not impressed.
When the reel is not in use, and I turn the handle, everything is smooth. However, when the reel is in use, or when minimal pressure is applied to the spool (eg. Slight thumb pressure on spool while turning the handle), it is not so smooth. An annoying fast geary clicking sensation can be felt in the handle, and just barely heard. I opened the reel today to check for visible malalignment in the gear box, with no obvious problems seen. I applied a little grease here and there, however the clicking sensation is still there. Any quick fixes to this problem?
Cheers
Michael

[RMCatchNrelease]

I am sorry to hear this. I have the same reel and it is every bit as smooth as my USDM PX68 TypeR.

[Dalleinf]

Thx. I also have the PX68L SPR version, which I love. No issues whatsoever.
I hope somebody can tell me what to do.
Otherwise I will do a full tear-down and reassembly (with the risk of ....ing it up)...

[Rippin-lips]

Send it out to be deep cleaned by someone like Trey Harpel of threeltuning. It will come back better than ever.

[new2BC4bass]

If you aren't proficient trouble shooting reels, I would send it to someone that is. Plus that is a lot of money to mess up. Besides Trey, Ian Shilds, aka e_bassfisher, is also very good. Trey supertued the first b/c reel I bought. Ian has done several reels for me including a used one that locked up after about 30 minutes of use. Reel is now supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

[BigG]

e_bassfisher.

[Dalleinf]

Thx for the input. Will do as suggested.

[ss30378]

I had the same issue with my px68 and it was a spool bearing. Smooth with no load then clunky under load, casts were loud as well. Swapped the bearings and now its butter.

[Dalleinf]

I had the same issue with my px68 and it was a spool bearing. Smooth with no load then clunky under load, casts were loud as well. Swapped the bearings and now its butter.

Have swapped bearings to hedgehog air bearings (and back) with no effect. Feels as if the issue is gear related, though I cannot say for sure...

[Schlag]

Try cleaning and greasing the worm shaft.

[Dalleinf]

Try cleaning and greasing the worm shaft.

Thx. Just did with no real improvement. However, I did some more experimenting and found that when I have the cast control loose (as I prefer) then the clicking/grinding sensation is there. When I tighten the cast control knob to where the lure barely falls upon spool release, the sensation seems to diminish/vanish.
If I lived in the US, the reel would already be in the hands of one of the abovementioned experts. As it is, I will do a bit more experimenting before shipping it across the pond. But thank you all for the input.

[ss30378]

I must have been fortunate then. I believe you are correct in looking at the gears or pinion bearings may be getting sloppy. Good luck.

[Dalleinf]

PX68L post-Ian aka e_bassfisher: smooth as butter. The whole trans-Atlantic experience smooth as butter as well. Ian and his reel magic is highly recommended for any other Euro-dude with reel issues. Thx.
Cheers Michael

[njbasscat]

PX68L post-Ian aka e_bassfisher: smooth as butter. The whole trans-Atlantic experience smooth as butter as well. Ian and his reel magic is highly recommended for any other Euro-dude with reel issues. Thx.
Cheers Michael

That's awesome. Ian is the best!

[Dexter]

X2 for Dr. Ian! If he only made house calls!