help with jigmaster assembly

[HuskyMD]

Guts fell out of jigmaster. In putting it back together, I followed this site: http://www.getbentsportfishing.com/helpful/tips-and-tricks/penn-jigmaster-500-overhaul/

Now that I am "done" the free spool lever is pretty loose. It does work, but doesn't seem right. When I flip it off free spool to reel in, it seems to only half engage and when I reel in then it engages all the way (sometimes right away and sometimes only after a few cranks).

The one thing I keep noticing is in the pciture with the "10" label, the piece shaped like a half moon, I couldn't get mine to stay in place like the one on the picture. The slightest movement and it came unlocked and popped off.

Any ideas?

[VICIII]

got to get the half moon thing to lock in to place long enough to put it together... Sounds like that is the hickup..

[Carolina Rebel]

Yup, that little part takes fooling with. You've got the spring right or else it wouldn't work at all. Make sure the half moon piece is good and pressed down before you go to the next step, and make sure the piece that it connects to (the one that slides back and forth) is in right.

[HuskyMD]

I thought mine was defective. In the picture it shows it resting on the table with the piece locked in place. With mine if I let go of it with my hand, it comes unlocked every time. Maybe the little circular piece with the wire attached to it isn't in the right place when I am trying to attach the half moon piece.

[Fish Hunter]

Good dab of grease to hold the spring in place.

Dang Penn's require 3 hands with 7 fingers on each to assemble. :eek:

[Samurai]

A little tip you can use to assemble Penns is to put the yoke,springs,jack and the screws through the side plate first.Then assemble the bridge plate with the fiber washer,main gear and drag.Then install the bridge plate to the assembled side plate upside down.Make sure all the yoke,jack,etc is properly in place then rotate the bridge in place and tighten the screws.Not sure if this make sence but it's really easy.I've done hundreds of times to jigs,3/0s,4/0s,6/0s etc.----Your problem sounds like the pinion gear is hanging up probally because the yoke and or springs moved when assembling.Hope this helps.