*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: Give me some,gatorade,coke,oj,pineapple,RUM,VODKA,ice,cup,and you will see the chemist at work!!!
Hi All, I bought a shimano level wind reel for the better half and have noticed that when the line goes on the spool there is about a 5mm height difference from one side to the other when the spool is full. Cant remember which reel it is but I can get that if required. Is this common or is there an adjustment that can be made. All I know is that on my tld 25 I can get the line to lay more even with my thumb and I'm not even trying. Any help appreciated.
I've seen plenty of level winds and havnt seen anything like this happen. We let the line out the back 3 times and rewound it back on the spool and had the same result. The thing is that the reel could possibly fit another 30-50 yrds of mono, but one side of the spool is at the full line. I will try and post a pic later, but I agree with you prockvoan, but if frogbiscuit sees this everyday then I'm confused.
Check the worm gear and and the paw. Sometimes when the guide gets to one side or the other, it will "bounce" an couple of times then go back the other way. Wether its the paw or the worm gear, its a pretty cheap fix.
I've replaced more than a few levelwinds over the years for myself and customers. Everything from Penn to Shimano to those terrible old Ambassadeurs ... If your reel's not levelwinding properly, then you're going to have to replace both the worm gear and the level wind pawl (look at a schematic and parts list for that model, different manufacturers may use slightly different terminology but all work the same). If one part is bad, generally the other is as well... You also might want to look with the search function on this board for postings by Alantani. There may be a complete tutorial, with pictures, showing what's involved to do it yourself....
Good Luck.
__________________ Tight Lines
Capt Bob LeMay
[img][img]
Here are the pics, hope they work out ok, thanks wiley for being easier to do this. The reel is brand new that I purchased a month ago but I get told by the shop that this is normal also. If this is normal then I wouldnt have bought it.
Looking at those pics there is one other possibility and that is you might be missing one or more thin washers that are usually found as spacers on each end of a worm gear.... Look carefully at the schematic that comes with that reel (or have your shop examine it...) then look to see if the appropriate parts are where they should be.
I've seen and heard a bit of grumbling about the quality of some models in Shimano's current lineup. I hope that you're able to sort this out. I have a few of their reels myself, and don't like seeing a new reel that isn't working properly....
By the way, even with a properly working level wind I can produce the same effect that you're seeing by adding tension with thumb and finger in front of the level wind, but holding to one side or the other as I'm doing it...
__________________ Tight Lines
Capt Bob LeMay
[img][img]
If you are spooling with the reel mounted to the rod, and line spooled through the rod eyes......it's possible that the reel is canted (not straight or lined-up) with the rod.
__________________ Dog Tired
I'm for a government that is by the people and for the people!
I spooled the reel myself. With the reel on the rod, placed line through all the guides and put the line in a plastic container with water. The container is just the right size to prevent the spool from turning, but allowing the spool to roll as the line is removed, if that makes sense. Then reel the line onto spool holding the line between two fingers just past the first guide nearest the reel to give the line some tension. Just checked the reel on the rod and its sitting straight with no obvious misalignment that I can see.
That reel is sick.As pointed out there could be a few washers out of place.If not,something else has it screwed.I would tell the shop that you bought it from to take it back if they keep telling you that is normal.Go shopping else were.Period!
I too have spent over 20 years running tackle shops and manning linewinders..That is definitely not normal.. I agree that the issue may be any of the worm/pawl/washer problems mentioned above.. It is possible however to get line stacked like that if the line was being pulled in that direction while installing, either by hand or on a machine. As you commented that you just acquired the reel, before I attempted any disassembly or troubleshooting I would first bring the reel back to where you purchased it and ask for a replacement. Or, failing that, have the shop install the line with a machine (watch to make sure the line is being held in the middle of the spool during installation, not held to 1 side or just allowed to pull freely off the service spool) and see if the problem persists. If it does, and the retailer fails to step up, I would send it back to Shimano and let them repair/replace it under warrantee.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to help me with this reel and answer my thread. The tackle shop wanted to check the rod that is being used with the reel for any misaligned guides and that checked out ok. The shop has taken the reel and is sending it back to shimano for them to check so I will wait for a reply, and was told that the reel will be either replaced or repaired. Thanks to you guys.
Sharkie 211, I'd like to see the rod that goes with that reel
level wind not spooling line on reel evenly 
poles
-- 2007 SUZUKI 225 4 STROKES 16x18.5 x3 suzuki propps.5750 RPM AT 44 MPH (GPS MEASURED)
HDS-10/P79 IN HULL DUCER
Bennett tabs.. 
