Ok let me start out by first saying whatever went wrong with these reels is probably all my fault. With that being said here is my problem.
Okuma Akena; After a few outtings the pinion gear feels like it's grinding/making noise. I take apart and relube. Put it back together, and the problem gets worse. At this point I set the reel aside and make a note to send it in to Okuma.
Before I do this I buy an Okuma Isis; Out of the box I take the reel apart to inspect it to see if I can figure out what might be wrong with my Akena. I don't take off any parts, just open the reel up. After checking out the design (almost identical as Akena, just higher quality parts) I put the reel back together and crank the handle. It's doing same thing as the Akena. I take back apart, can't figure out what I did to cause this, put back together, take apart, put back together. Can't fix the problem, I can feel the pinion gear grinding a little when I reel and it's not even close to as smooth as when I first took it out. At this point I'm pissed.
So I call Okuma; Tell them what happened, that the pinion gear is grinding and the reel is rough. They agree to fix under warranty. They said they replaced the pinion gear, drive gear, and did a full re-lube of the reel. (This thing is brand new, only took it to the lake twice.) Anyways, I take it out of the box when it gets back. Nothing new. Same grinding as when I sent it back. Ahh!!!!!
So now I'm stuck, do I send it back? I can't figure out what's wrong with this thing. I'm pissed that I ever took it apart. Mechanically I think its fine, but this thing was sooo smooth brand-new and now it feels like it's been through 4 seasons. Did the reel tech even turn the handle after putting it back together? It's exactly the same!!!
Anyways anyone with some experience have some advice for me? I still have an Akena in 10 pieces. On the plus side I know this thing inside and out, but unfortunately I can't diagnose the problem to fix it.
Found another post, where a guy completely cleaned/relubed his, and shortly after, had a grinding issue. First pic is what it's supposed to look like, 2nd is the rusting issue, and the 3rd pic is a pic just in case you want to look at yours for comparison.
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The Isis is what really pisses me off though. I send it in and it came back the same. The best part is that the handle assembly doesn't seem to be installed right.
I know Will has this reel, I'd like to know if he can rock the handle back and forth.
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Thanks Jim.
Wow yeah I think I figured out what's wrong with the Akena, that photo with the rust is the same thing that went wrong with mine. The ball bearing is shot (inside the cast control cap.) The thing is demolished. I think this may have bent my spool assembly or visa versa. I can't really tell if the spool assembly is bent but just from eyeballing it, I think it's not tru. Called Okuma and of course no one answers…
Axle moves in and out. Kinda figured that most my reels do that so not out of the ordinary I guess.
The spool is empty. Just put my spool from akena on the isis and the grinding was much worse.
At this point I think both spools are wack. Bearing in Akena is wack. End cap of the Isis got plastic scraped off from spool. Not sure on pinion and drive on Akena.
I'm frustrated. Just going to order a ton of parts and see what I come up with. Found a reel repair forum with some knowledgeable guys so I'll see if I can get their opinion.
Sounds like they're both under warranty. Don't do the work or pay for parts yourself, send it in.
Will, why do you have to make things so simple and easy? I think I do everything possible to avoid the easiest route… Called Okuma today, talked to a really nice guy. He was very helpful and told me to ship it to him and he'll take care of the rest. [smilie=brickwall.gif] He also threw in the parts for the Akena for free.
Just got my Isis back for the second time from Okuma. I'm disappointed.
1. Talk to a nice guy and he hooks me up.
2. I get a call a few day later and he asks what's wrong with the reel again. I'm like "turn the handle dude, its grinding, its not smooth, its a brand new reel and its been reassembled by your technician once already".
3. He acts like he doesn't think there is anything wrong with it but says he'll have a technician run through it and call me back in the morning.
4. Never get a call back, reel shows up on my doorstep today, I'm like "sweet". Service list says they replaced spool assembly and bearings. I'm thinking ok they got it right.
5. Turn the handle and tada Same as when I sent it in. Nothing changed. I'm so pissed off. I'm either a complete moron and this is how the reel is supposed to feel. Or the guys at okuma aren't smart enough to figure out what's wrong with it.
I'm really hoping it's not me. I'm going to bring this reel to the banquet just to have someone turn the handle and tell me one way or another. I'd like to compare it to another Isis or Akena, or anything. My Shimano Cardiff doesn't feel or sound even close to this. I'd pay any amount of money to get this thing running smooth again. But I'm out of options.
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