Penn Squidder 146 problem ......

[Duffman]

Squidder 146. Drag loosens on its own whenever pressure is applied to the line. You can actually see the star turn and loosen as pressure is applied. Replaced drag washers and same thing going on.

Love this reel. Don’t wanna throw parts at it hoping for a fix. If anyone has suggestions lemme know. Or who to bring it too. Thanks boys

[2na]

Did you check the anti-reverse dog to see if it's engaging properly? Sometimes they gum up with grease and don't drop into the notch properly in which case the drag is trying to function as the anti-reverse...

[frugalfisherman]

I'm guessing a drag spring problem. When you tighten the drag you should feel the spring pressure on the star as you watch the metal sleeve go in which tightens the drag. That's what keeps it from moving on it's own.

[Duffman]

If it was the reverse dog malfunctioning wouldn’t I be able to spin the handle in both directions?

The tension spring on top of the drag pack makes sense. That would be #8 in the schematic ?

[frugalfisherman]

I screwed up. Just took an old reel apart. No spring. Just the pressure of the drag washers hold it in place. Sorry it was just an idea.

[frugalfisherman]

I binged "problem penn drag star loosens" and came up with this. The guy who had the problem said this fixed it. Do a Google or Bing there's more stuff. Just trying to make up for my screw up.


It happens only when the drags are put in the wrong order. Specifically, the eared washer is on top. When that's the case, it spins directly with the main gear, which goes backwards when you pull line off the reel. So, then the spacing sleeve goes backwards, which makes the star go backwards. Voila! No drag!
The metal washers should go keyed-eared-keyed. There's a belleville washer on top of the drag stack, then the spacing sleeve, and the star screws down on top of the spacing sleeve.
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[Duffman]

Sorry for the shitty Schematic pic. Didn’t even think the drag pack could be packed wrong. Bought this off fleabay and just swapped out the drag washers the same way they came out. May have been wrong when I got? Reason seller was selling to begin with? Who knows?

Will pull it apart again and see what I got in there. Thanks!

[Duffman]

Nailed it Bruce! Thank you sir! Exact issue. Eared washer in wrong spot. Back together and working as designed. Pic of how it came out. Eared washer at top of drag pack instead of center