Friction - friction brake of the reel

general information

The essence of the operation of the friction brake of the reel is that the brake is adjusted to a certain force by rotating the corresponding regulator. Let’s say if the cord or fishing line can withstand 7 kg (it can withstand it, not what it says on the spool), then the drag is adjusted to about 4-5 kg. Then, if the hooked large fish makes a jerk with a force equivalent to, say, 10 kg, the line will not break, as one would expect. The friction brake will work and the spool will begin to rotate under the influence of the fish’s jerk, releasing the line to it. This is why they wind a hundred or more meters of fishing line onto reels. You have to give something to the fish when jerking. For fishing a large catfish or pike in a vast body of water, this stock is just right.

Signs of faulty friction discs

The presence of problems in an automatic transmission is expressed in the following manifestations:

When the lever is moved to neutral, the clutch does not disengage. This is a sign that the friction discs are welded to the steel ones.
Gear shifting is accompanied by shocks.
The automatic transmission makes a metallic sound when the engine is running when the car is stationary.
Transmission oil acquires a burnt smell.
Reverse gear is not engaged, only forward movement is possible.
Changing gears is difficult or completely impossible.

If you suspect burnt clutches, you should first check the lubricant level in the automatic transmission and the presence of smell. If the amount of fluid is insufficient, the friction discs are not fully pressed against the steel discs, resulting in slipping and overheating of the rubbing surfaces. You should also not allow coolant to get into the oil, because the clutches of some early automatic transmission models contain cardboard, which is susceptible to destruction under the influence of antifreeze.

Types of friction brakes

There are two types of friction brakes for spinning reels:

Device and main components

A multi-disc friction clutch is structurally a package of steel and friction discs that alternate with each other. Their number directly depends on how much torque needs to be transmitted between the shafts.

Operating principle of a multi-plate clutch

So, there are two types of discs in the clutch - steel and friction. What is their difference? The thing is that the second type of disc has a special coating called “friction”. It is made of materials that have a high coefficient of friction: ceramics, carbon composites, Kevlar threads, etc.

Most often, friction discs are steel discs with a friction layer. However, their basis is not always steel; sometimes these parts of the coupling are made of durable plastic. The discs are attached to the drive shaft hub.

Conventional steel discs without friction coatings are fixed in a drum connected to the driven shaft.

The clutch design also includes a piston and a return spring. Under the influence of fluid pressure, the piston presses on the disk pack, due to which a friction force arises between them, and torque is transmitted. Once the pressure is released, the spring pushes the piston back and the clutch disengages.

There are two types of multi-plate clutch: dry and wet. The second type of device is partially filled with oil. Lubricant is required for:

more efficient heat removal;
lubrication of coupling parts.

A wet multi-plate clutch has one drawback - it has a low friction coefficient. Manufacturers compensate for this disadvantage by increasing the pressure on the discs, as well as by using the latest friction materials.

Setting the clutch

Oddly enough, not all anglers use a friction brake. For what reason is unknown. Maybe they just don’t know how, maybe they don’t want to. But, most likely, they can’t or don’t know how to configure it correctly. Or maybe it's the coils themselves. After all, the majority of ordinary fishermen use the cheapest Chinese-made reels in their fishing, where the clutch mechanism itself is initially made haphazardly and breaks very quickly. So it turns out that one fisherman has the clutch brake tightened almost all the way, while the other has it tightened as necessary.

Tip: be sure to adjust the drag before each fishing trip. How to do it? Attach the spoon to a tree or snag and bend your rod into an arc. The friction should be activated when the rod is bent at 60 or 70 degrees.

What causes clutch failures?

Automatic transmissions require maintenance. That is why the necessary maintenance work should be carried out in a timely manner. Difficulty changing speeds may indicate the presence of friction clutch failures. Replacing automatic transmission clutches can be done with your own hands.

Among the causes of breakdowns, the following should be highlighted:

use of low-quality gear oil,
oil filter clogged with wear products,
insufficient oil level in the box,
towing was often carried out,
natural wear and tear of parts.

All this leads to rapid wear of the clutches. Because of this, changing gears may be difficult.

The fuel in the vehicle must be changed in accordance with the prescribed maintenance requirements. The reason that the oil filter is clogged is the use of low-quality fluid.

The oil level in the gearbox should be checked periodically. This procedure must be carried out on a flat surface. Taking this into account, the car needs to be driven onto an overpass, after which it is necessary to open access to the automatic transmission.

If during a routine fuel check it is discovered that the liquid has acquired a dark color and an unpleasant odor, the oil must be replaced. It is unacceptable to continue driving behind the wheel of a car, since not only the component mechanisms of the transmission are stressed, but also the engine. All this leads to their rapid failure. As a rule, the need to replace transmission fluid occurs after 40,000 km.

It is recommended to fill the system with transmission oil of the same brand that was previously added by the manufacturer.

It is possible to check the oil level using a special dipstick. However, a number of car models do not have this device. Taking this into account, you can check the fluid level through the filling plug. The procedure for replacing the transmission can be done with your own hands.

Tips for use

After fishing, do not forget to loosen the drag on your reel. This will prolong her life!
When adjusting the brake mechanism, do not use excessive force, as... This may cause the reel or rod to break.
A too-tight clutch can lead to line breakage if the fish is large enough or makes powerful jerks. If the clutch is not tight enough, it may prevent you from hooking a fish.
You need to adjust the clutch to 2/3 - ¾ of the breaking load of the fishing line.
Depending on the fishing conditions, the clutch can be tightened or loosened. This can also be done during the fishing process.
If you get caught, do not under any circumstances tighten the clutch all the way, as you will break the rod. Try to point the rod parallel to the fishing line, pressing it against the blank and tapping it with your hand - sometimes this method helps.

Torque converter malfunctions

An automatic transmission with a torque converter is a reliable unit, but sometimes breakdowns occur in both the planetary unit and the donut.

Symptoms of a faulty hydraulic transformer:

slight slipping when starting to move;
vibrations and buzzing when the vehicle moves;
shocks when changing the position of the selector lever;
mechanical noises and knocks;
reduction in acceleration characteristics;
the smell of melted plastic;
when selecting steps the motor stalls;
the appearance of metal shavings on the probe;
decrease in transmission fluid level;
rustling in the donut area, which may disappear when you start moving.

Main failures of the torque converter:

Increased wear of support or intermediate bearings. When the vehicle is idling, a characteristic slight mechanical noise appears, which disappears as the vehicle speed increases. Eliminated by replacing failed parts.
Vibration that first appears when driving at high speed, increases over time and occurs in all modes of vehicle movement. The reason for this is a decrease in the properties of the working fluid and contamination of the oil filter. It is treated by replacing the old transmission fluid with a new high-quality ATF fluid and installing a new filter.
Decrease in vehicle acceleration characteristics. Occurs due to high wear of the overrunning clutch, causing the donut stator to stop functioning and the inability to increase torque. To eliminate the malfunction, it is necessary to replace the damaged part.
When driving there is a strong metallic knocking and grinding noise. The cause of such a breakdown is the destruction of the blades of the pump, turbine or stator. This malfunction can be eliminated by replacing failed components or installing a new torque converter.
The smell of melted plastic occurs due to overheating of the unit, which may be caused by a decrease in the level of working fluid or clogging of the cooling system of the box. To eliminate the consequences of overheating, it is necessary to replace damaged plastic components, clean the automatic transmission cooling system and completely renew the transmission fluid.
The appearance of small metal shavings on the probe indicates, in most cases, high wear of the end washer. This malfunction can be eliminated by installing a new part to replace the damaged one and updating the working fluid to remove chips.
The car stalls when changing the operating mode of the automatic transmission or changing the position of the selector. The reason for this is a malfunction of the electronics, leading to the blocking of the donut. To eliminate this malfunction, professional diagnostics of the automatic transmission control unit is required, and, if necessary, replacement of failed electronic components.
Stopping the movement of the vehicle. Occurs due to the lack of transmission of torque from the engine to the automatic transmission due to cutting off the splines on the centripetal turbine. In rare cases, such a malfunction occurs due to failures in the electronic control. The problem can be eliminated by restoring the spline (if possible, this can be done) or installing a new hydraulic transformer.
Reducing the level of working fluid. The reason for this is a violation of the tightness of the housing (leaks in the area of the seals and oil seals). It can be eliminated by sealing the leak, replacing leaking components, or installing a new donut.

If any of the above symptoms appear, you must immediately contact a service station to carry out diagnostic procedures and repair the unit or replace it. Timely repair of the torque converter will avoid further breakdowns and significantly reduce the cost of automatic transmission repair.