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Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 12:58 pm
by Houndfish
I have been swapping handles and knobs around on a few of my reels and for some reason I am having a huge issue getting the knobs shimmed up correctly. I am dealing with factory Daiwa handles and knobs in all cases so far.

I have been taking knob A off of handle 1 and trying to mount them on handle 2. I will pull all the parts out and line them up on my bench in order, but when I go to mount them on the new handle I am having two issues;

1)I cannot get the knob screw to lock down while still having the knob able to spin freely. This is the most common issue, but the most I can get it "right" is when it becomes problem 2, which is,
2)The knob screw will lock down, but the knob will have a good bit of up/down play.

So to start with, can someone confirm I have the part order right, I have been doing it like this, based on my observations from taking them apart.

Handle shaft -> Shim(s) -> Bottom Bearing -> void -> Top Bearing -> Shim(s) -> Knob screw

I have tried a adding/removing shims at the top and bottom and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to what I have done when it shifts from problem 1 to problem 2.

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 1:20 pm
by PikeRoadBassn
There are different thicknesses of shims. you may have to play with a few combinations to get it just right.

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 3:42 pm
by Houndfish
I have .1, .2, and .3mm shims to play with. It just seems like I can stack like a full mm of shims on top of the top bearing and the screw will still not tighten down leaving any knob rotation at all.

Is there a "standard" way to add shims, like am I looking to balance top and bottom, or is it just totally variable from knob to knob?

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:19 pm
by Hogsticker2
Houndfish wrote:I have .1, .2, and .3mm shims to play with. It just seems like I can stack like a full mm of shims on top of the top bearing and the screw will still not tighten down leaving any knob rotation at all.

Is there a "standard" way to add shims, like am I looking to balance top and bottom, or is it just totally variable from knob to knob?
You should only use / add shims below the lower bearing. 1st thing that goes on the handle posts. Use however many it takes to alleviate any play / slop, yet still allows the knob to spin as freely as possible.

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:56 pm
by Houndfish
Huh. Most every knob I have had removed has had a single shim below the Lower Bearing and one above the Top Bearing. I have been trying to add them to both spots, that seems like my problem.

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 2:00 am
by LgMouthGambler
Sometimes you are gonna end up in that situation. You may just have to deal with an ever so slight bit of play.

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 2:21 am
by Slazmo
Dish one of the shims, put it between the handle side and bearing - it'll create a loaded washer and remove any residual slop.

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 8:21 am
by hungry_cow
Where can you purchase these knob shims?

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 11:16 am
by TommyG
www.amainhobbies.com they usually have a good selection

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:31 am
by Teal101
I always shim below the bottom bearing against the handle. You also need to make sure the top bearing is seated all the way. Sometimes they dont press all the way down and the screw will tighten onto the bearing and prevent the knob from spinning. Usually happens with aftermarket knobs.

Re: Trouble getting knobs shimmed correctly

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:45 pm
by Houndfish
Wow, thanks guys, removing all the shims and starting to build up from the bottom is working like a charm. For some reason in my head it made more sense to shim from the top, so I was driving myself crazy.