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Location: Solomons, Maryland / Now just visiting Marathon
Posts: 4,683
Penn 309 Levelwind problem
My Dad died in early August and I have several of his reels.
They are quite old, at least 25-30 years.
The Penn 309 levelwind gets hung up on one side and stacks the line.
Otherwise, the reel seems fine.
Anyone know how to fix?
Think it may be a worn worm gear?
(say that 3 times real fast, LOL!)
Sounds like it may be the worm gear..Which should be an easy part to find/replace.. I would first give a good cleaning.. making sure both the worm, pawl, and upper guide channels are clean, and not causing it to bind..
Those are good reels, important parts are brass or some other substantial material. Best thing to do (imo) is remove the level wind junk, I did this on some 209's I have.
Sounds like it may be the worm gear..Which should be an easy part to find/replace.. I would first give a good cleaning.. making sure both the worm, pawl, and upper guide channels are clean, and not causing it to bind..
He got it.
Should be a spare pawl under a screw cap on the reel also.
One other small item about level winds from any manufacturer... If you need to replace the worm gear, then you also need to replace the pawl. If one is screwed up so is the other. The good news is that the Penn worms and pawls will last a long time if cared for (kept clean and with a little light oil on the worm - avoid "3 in 1" oil at all cost, only use a quality gun lube like Gunslick or Breakfree).
__________________ Tight Lines
Capt Bob LeMay
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I would also get a drag set, dog and dog spring for each of your Penn conventional reels. Use a drag grease such as Shimano also. Pennparts has schematics for all Penn reels and great tips for working on them. alantani on this board is also very helpful and is THE expert on reels.
I would also get a drag set, dog and dog spring for each of your Penn conventional reels. Use a drag grease such as Shimano also. Pennparts has schematics for all Penn reels and great tips for working on them. alantani on this board is also very helpful and is THE expert on reels.
X2! Great reference source.
__________________ 26' Twin Vee Express w/ Twin F150s
Penn 309 Levelwind problem 
