Weird reel issue
- Thread starter RiverBoy
- Start date
Had a similar issue. Had a few guests loose a few nice fish because of that problem. 1st sent my MR3 to Islander. They changed out a few parts and said it was good to go. Had to pay the shipping. Then took it up to the Charlottes and had the same issue. Then took it to Mikes Reel Repair in Abbotsford. He had it fixed in no time. He had to Machine down a tiny bit of Aluminum on one of the small surfaces that the drag nob would seat onto. Cant quite remember exactly where as it was, as it was three years ago. But it has been fine ever since.
trophywife
Crew Member
the set screw in the centre needs a lil locktite.. green, not red or blue!
The above answers are not correct. This is a fairly common problem and just last week Joanne down at Outfitters had the same reel in for the same problem and i was there collecting tickets for the JDF Derby and overheard her conversation. It took me a few minutes to recall what causes that issue as it happened to me last year for the first time. It finally came to me and I told Joanne that the problem is the top bearing under the spring will be rough and needs replacing. She popped the reel apart and sure enough...that bearing was shot. Its the bearing in the spool body right under the tension spring...put your finger into the centre of the bearing and spin it....it will feel like it is full of grit a good bearing will be silky smooth. I would check the bottom spool bearing the same way while you have it apart.
trophywife
Crew Member
so when the bearing doesn't spin it grabs the adjustment knob? guess i should change out all my bearings.. they dont sound bad? gonna take em apart and look!
RiverBoy
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the responses. I managed to hog the reel apart when I got home. My original post was sent from Bamfield, I was working with sub standard tools, and I was trying to find answers from SFBC crowd to help me. Took my reel apart in camp several times to try and rectify the issue. Didn't bring a backup reel. Didn't think I needed one....
Anyways, Profisher, you nailed it. Bearing in the spool body is shot, and i pulled the o-ring, and I believe the bearing under the clutch assembly is also shot. Sounded like a coffee grinder on the boat.
Additionally, the entire clutch assembly is able to move almost 1/8" of an inch on the spindle. The teeth on the clutch assembly are showing major signs of wear as a result.
I don't get it. Its not like I'm guiding with the thing. I'm a weekend warrior, and I always rinse and oil / grease my reel. The inside of the reel is clean and free of debris. To say I'm pissed off is an understatement. I bought the reel as a present to my self. Ended up finishing up trip with my buddy's trophy XL which worked flawlessly. I'm gonna take the MR3 in tomorrow for yet another costly repair.
I should also add I've already had main bearing and drag spring replaced.
Anyways, Profisher, you nailed it. Bearing in the spool body is shot, and i pulled the o-ring, and I believe the bearing under the clutch assembly is also shot. Sounded like a coffee grinder on the boat.
Additionally, the entire clutch assembly is able to move almost 1/8" of an inch on the spindle. The teeth on the clutch assembly are showing major signs of wear as a result.I don't get it. Its not like I'm guiding with the thing. I'm a weekend warrior, and I always rinse and oil / grease my reel. The inside of the reel is clean and free of debris. To say I'm pissed off is an understatement. I bought the reel as a present to my self. Ended up finishing up trip with my buddy's trophy XL which worked flawlessly. I'm gonna take the MR3 in tomorrow for yet another costly repair.
I should also add I've already had main bearing and drag spring replaced.
Last edited:
Kildonan
Well-Known Member
Won't Islander fix those issues under warranty? I thought they had a strong warranty policy, no?
What really helps prevent this is to make sure you back the drag off every time you retrieve line with the reel. If you leave the one way drag tightened down as it is when in the rod holder then wind you are putting huge pressure on the bearing. I always back it right off before I wind up to check gear or for anything else.
TheBigGuy
Well-Known Member
If that is what you have to do everytime you reel line in, what is the point in a one way drag system if you need to do that. No offense to you Islander reel guys, I know you love them, but the more I read about their issues the less I can understand why they are considered such outstanding reels. My buddy has islanders and the line creep is a real pain on them. It sounds to me like the bearings on these reels are a huge problem. Guys say replace them with ceramic bearings, but for the price they charge you shouldn't have to pay to upgrade the bearings to make them reliable. I'm all for locally manufactured reels, but it sounds like Islander really needs to improve their reliability issues or their share of the high end market is going to erode pretty quickly. There's a lot of competition out there now. I know many of them copied the Islander design, but from the sounds of things they actually improved things, not just made a cheaper knock off. I love the look and feel off the Islander reels, but they won't be getting any of my money any time soon. It's a shame they don't address their issues because they're an iconic product I'dlike to see remain prominent in the marketplace.
RiverBoy
Well-Known Member
Guess I'll find out. The guys at river sportsman are pretty good to me. With the money I've spent there over the years I'm sure I've put a few of the boys thru college.
RiverBoy
Well-Known Member
I always back off the drag when reeling up. I also always leave the drag backed off when not in use.
Bigguy...I think the problem is the line creep issue and because you have to crank down so hard on the drag to stop it that damages the bearings, especially if you retrieve line with it cranked down that tight. I believe if they fix the line creep issue so you don't have to crank the drag down so hard...the bearing issue will improve as well. Just me opinion and thinking that the two problems are related and fixing one will fix or improve the other.
TheBigGuy
Well-Known Member
Thanks Profisher I'll mention it to my buddy maybe he can get his reels taken care of. It's definitely annoying to have that issue on such a beautiful reel.
RiverBoy
Well-Known Member
Profisher: my home base is Campnell River. Fishing is commonly over 180' of water. I have to cinch her down hard often to prevent line creep, so your post makes a lot of sense. taking it in tomorrow. I'll let you know the verdict. Thanks as always!
trophywife
Crew Member
i got three in good shape.... gonna be for sale at the end of season... thinkin admundson.
RiverBoy
Well-Known Member
Problem solved. It was the top bearing on the spool side of the reel. It wasn't free spinning, so in turn it was grabbing the drag knob and backing it off. I also replaced the bearing under the clutch assembly. It would have been covered under warranty, but the cost of shipping it away was equivalent to the cost of just getting it done in store. In a year and a half I have now replaced all the factory bearings and the factory clutch spring. Let's see how long they last now.
Thanks for the help as always gents.
Thanks for the help as always gents.
RiverBoy
Well-Known Member
Love my buddy's Amundson. Carbon fiber drag I believe?
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