Need help from Orvis spinning reel owner

brian · Post by **brian** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 5:10 am

I need to remove the rotating case (rotor) on a Orvis 75a. I believe I need to remove the pinion gear first. Is this a turn clockwise to remove thread? After the pinion gear is out do I turn the rotating case clockwise to remove also? In my experience with reels the rotors are on quite tight and I do not want to risk cracking an aluminum casting by turning the wrong way. I just finished cutting a screwdriver into a spanner shape for the job and will hold off pending a reply. Thanks, Brian.

Post by **john elder** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 8:03 am

Brian; in my experience, everything has been 'lefty-loosey', 'righty-tighty' for taking those and other spinning reels apart. however, the first question I'd ask is whether you really need to take it down that far. unless the shaft is bent, I've found you can use mineral spirits to wash out old grit and grease, then use a low viscosity oil to loosen internals and bail mechanism...lube with Quantum Hot Sauce, and go use it. You might try this before taking it all the way apart.

brian · Post by **brian** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 8:14 am

Thanks John. I need to remove the rotor so I have to flat surfaces to block the rotor in a vice. The bushing for the bail screw is striped and there is no room to drill it out an tap for a larger screw. I will fill the striped hole with J B Weld, drill and tap. This way I can retain the original screw on a reel that is near mint. I think the striped screw is why the reel looks so great. The reel was placed in the original box years ago and never fixed.

brian · Post by **brian** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:09 am

I got my answer. After about 2 hours on the phone I tracked down an ex Orvis employee who repaired reels years ago, long story for another time. The rotor head nut, pinion gear rings and connecting links are all left hand thread. That is you turn clockwise to remove and counter-clockwise to tighten. This is the same as most reel handles. Brian.

Post by **john elder** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 3:18 pm

gasp...sorry I opened my mouth, Brian! thanks for the follow-up and for giving me both lessons. I assume that if I could think it through far enough, it would make sense for a reverse thread, based on the action of the rotor. Good luck with that repair!

brian · Post by **brian** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:56 am

The Orvis 75a is up and runing. I drilled out the remaining threads to give the J B Weld more area to cling to. I partially filled the screw hole with J B Weld, coated the screw with mold release and screwed it into the JB. At the 2 hour point I turned the screw 1/8 turn to be sure it didn't get stuck, same thing at 4 hours. After 12 hours I backed the screw out and cleaned it up. Let the thing set for 12 hours, this was the hardest part. Ran the screw in and out a few times and put everything back together. I believe the fix will hold up. In addition there is no visual indication that the reel has been repaired.