TackleTour

I have a new Alphas ASC that I just noticed has a significant knock-knock-knock when retrieving under load. I haven't fished any baits with much resistance or caught anything much bigger than a half pound on it yet, so I didn't notice it until I was messing around in the yard casting small plugs and testing the drag.

It is smooth as can be when unloaded or under normal UL use, but the more resistance you put on the retrieve, the more you feel the knock. I don't think it's the main gear because it happens more than once per handle turn at a regular interval, but I don't think it occurs 7.2 times either so I don't think its the pinion. I don't know. I guess I should've counted the knocks yesterday to officially rule that out...

In any case, do you think it might be the A/R bearing? If so do you think a little oil might fix it? I'll buy a gear set if I have to, I just dont think that's the problem...

Not an ACS but I had a Zillion SV that had the "knock-knock-knock when retrieving under load" and it turned out to be the pinion.

My PX68 was the same - also a pinion issue.

Alright, thanks guys.

Aaaand they're off for President's Day...

Maybe that's a good thing. Do you think that since it's barely been used, and only for UL, I can get away with only changing the pinion?

Maybe, but my rule of thumb is always change the complete gear set. Sometimes a new gear won't play well with a used one, even if its only slightly used.....go on, ask me how I know.... But you can try just the pinion gear first, cant hurt anything. Worst outcome would be that you have to order another main gear also.

Hmmm.... I think it will be alright. I hope. I don't know. I'll probably just get the set...

Get the set and replace the set. Tolerances will be better. Keep the old extra gear as a backup.

Right on. I just wish I could spend this money on a set of Air bearings instead of a gear set.

The knock is only present if you do something which you don't do when you're fishing. Get the air bearings if you want, you'll probably notice the difference when you're fishing.

I would give it a good cleaning and inspect the gears and bearings.
Probably just some debris in the wrong place.

Ultrasonic cleaning works best.
Good luck

I agree with Carlos. Rip it apart and give it a thorough cleaning then see if it's still there before ordering a gear set.

I usually have this happen at one time or another with my reels. Its usually just a piece of crud on the pinion. I've had it be a piece of drag material and I even found a small piece of hair that made its way over from japan. I would give it a thorough cleaning and see how it feels before looking at a gear set.

Great advice, guys. I will do that. I've never had this happen, so I'll clean it up first. And maybe get the bearings instead.

My ASC has a slight sound too. I find it is louder when the line guide is closer to the handle and fades when headed toward the sideplate.

When I put my thumb on the spool and turn the handle (stopping the spool), the above is still true.