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Penn 704 Bail Release Clunking

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I picked up an old 704 recently and I want to start using it regularly. It seems to work fairly well, except for a small clunk every time the rotor comes around from the bail release. The reel works fine otherwise, but that clunk will drive me nuts after a few hours.

 

I've had it apart and fiddled a bit, but I can't really get a sense for what's going on in there. I suspect that the rotor brake is worn and is allowing the bail release arm too much movement. Does this seem possible?

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I picked up an old 704 recently and I want to start using it regularly. It seems to work fairly well, except for a small clunk every time the rotor comes around from the bail release. The reel works fine otherwise, but that clunk will drive me nuts after a few hours.

 

I've had it apart and fiddled a bit, but I can't really get a sense for what's going on in there. I suspect that the rotor brake is worn and is allowing the bail release arm too much movement. Does this seem possible?

My old 704 "greenie" does the same thing. cant figure out a fix

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The problem could only be in two places the hold down bearing plate that has the trip built in not down all the way, or someone bent the trip lever or trip lever was'int put back right. 

Edited by lberthelon
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The problem could only be in two places the hold down bearing plate that has the trip built in not down all the way, or someone bent the trip lever or trip lever was'int put back right. 

 

While I don't own a "Greenie", having bought what I thought was "clean" Mitchell 302 on Fleabay, the only problem was it seemed the rotor seemed "loose", the second I tightened down the roror hex nut I could not turfn the handle. That was my first complete teardown of a Mitchell 302/402 reel. It was only after I tore the reel totally apart and put it back together with the aid of a clean copy of a schematic, did I discover that some genius had "serviced" the reel.. and put it together WRONG!!!

 

IF this is a well used reel it could simply be worn parts that need to be replaced, or someone could have "serviced" it and put it back together wrong. If you picked up this reel for a song, it probably needs to be serviced anyway. Download a CLEAN copy of the schematic, preferably showing the Part Names and Part Numbers, and then tear it all the way down to the frame, removing ALL the parts. Once you have done this inspect ALL the parts and replace any that are worn. Having done this using the schematic, rebuild the reel; from the ground up, lubing each part as it is added back. If your problem is due to a worn part, you will have replaced it; if your problem is due to a careless re-build, you'll have corrected it. If you totally screw up the reel (kind of hard with a Greenie) the worst is you are out the couple bucks you paid for the reel. Chalk it up to a learning experience. BTW, that Mitchell 302... today that reels PURRRS and is as good as NEW if not better!!!

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I have looked at the schematic and find nothing out of the ordinary. The reel is so simple that it would hard NOT to put it back together correctly, but the clunk is there every time I have put it back together. The bail release arm is not bent. The bearing retainer plate looks good. Everything seems to look as it should, that is why I am wondering if this is from wear.

Edited by jerackme
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I put a small plastic shim between the bail release arm and the bail, and it turns perfectly without the annoying noise. I'm starting to consider carefully filing the bearing retainer or the inside end of the bail release arm a little to accomplish the same thing as the shim.

 

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Edited by jerackme
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From what you are showing one of the two worn out, don't file the trip on the bearing plate because you might not get enough lift to release the bail. A lot of old tackle shops still have parts for the 704. What state do you live in. Lot of tackle shops in NJ have parts for these reels. Make some calls or some on SOL in your state can tell you were to go for the part.

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I put a small plastic shim between the bail release arm and the bail, and it turns perfectly without the annoying noise. I'm starting to consider carefully filing the bearing retainer or the inside end of the bail release arm a little to accomplish the same thing as the shim.

 

attachicon.gifDSCN0056.JPG

Edited by lberthelon
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If it was just worn it shouldn't be clunking, maybe something got bent even though it all looks good to me. If I file the bail release down, the worst that could happen is that it doesn't work and I'll have to buy a new part anyway.

Edited by jerackme
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If it was just worn it shouldn't be clunking, maybe something got bent even though it all looks god to me. If I file the bail release down, the worst that could happen is that it doesn't work and I'll have to buy a new part anyway.

lf either one of the two wear down that brings the trip lever closer to to the trip on the bearing retainer. you proved it your self by putting shim between them.    

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