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Like a lot of people, apparently, I purchased an Echo Ion (in this case a 8/10 to use with a 7wt spey rod), and the drag squeaked horribly soon after I bought it new, even at stripping level settings of the drag. I did some online searches on this issue and found it was a somewhat common complaint about the Ion. Others did not have this problem. Some people found it squeaking right out of the box, and some (like me) had it start to squeak the first time the reel got dunked. There were also complaints about the usual cheap drag lock up issues when starting from a complete stop.
While its possible some people have posted on fixes for this issue, I was not able to find one, so I'm posting one here. Maybe it will help some people in the future.
Probably the more experienced of you folks knew how to fix this as a matter of course. I did not, and I assume the people complaining about it and calling it a "crappy" reel did not either. For the price it is a great reel, and I kind of expect some mods and extra diligence will be involved. The fix is pretty easy. I will get a chance to re-dunk my Ion this weekend on the American river, and will report back if the problem comes back.
Rather than re-write the explanation of the fix I will just copy the fix suggestion I sent Anna Kittoe (who for the record was friendly and helpful with suggestions) at Rajeff Sports. She sent me the attached parts diagram - unfortunately not included in the reel box for some reason which is weird since even the cheapest reels seem to usually have this included. I would argue that the lower cost the reel, the MORE important the parts diagram may be. LOL But do note, as discussed below, this diagram is missing a few important parts. Not to worry, since the thing is so simple. Here is a copy of the email. I hope it helps someone with this issue in the future as I spent about a week on this. To hook a Steelhead and have had everyone in earshot hear that squeaking drag - Oh, the humiliation averted! :-0
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While its possible some people have posted on fixes for this issue, I was not able to find one, so I'm posting one here. Maybe it will help some people in the future.
Probably the more experienced of you folks knew how to fix this as a matter of course. I did not, and I assume the people complaining about it and calling it a "crappy" reel did not either. For the price it is a great reel, and I kind of expect some mods and extra diligence will be involved. The fix is pretty easy. I will get a chance to re-dunk my Ion this weekend on the American river, and will report back if the problem comes back.
Rather than re-write the explanation of the fix I will just copy the fix suggestion I sent Anna Kittoe (who for the record was friendly and helpful with suggestions) at Rajeff Sports. She sent me the attached parts diagram - unfortunately not included in the reel box for some reason which is weird since even the cheapest reels seem to usually have this included. I would argue that the lower cost the reel, the MORE important the parts diagram may be. LOL But do note, as discussed below, this diagram is missing a few important parts. Not to worry, since the thing is so simple. Here is a copy of the email. I hope it helps someone with this issue in the future as I spent about a week on this. To hook a Steelhead and have had everyone in earshot hear that squeaking drag - Oh, the humiliation averted! :-0
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High Anna,
Here is some information that, possibly, may be of use to other customers experiencing the drag squeak on the Echo Ion reels.
I've now officially taken apart the entire Ion reel to investigate. Well, I didn't take apart the handle or counter weight, but everything else in extenso. The squeak is not due to part #5 (compression o-ring), it is due to the drag washers (11,12,13, and another washer not in your parts diagram). In particular the interface between 12 and the two stainless steel washers (11 and 13). If #5 is taken out the drag knob will no longer apply pressure to 11,12,13 though the dowel pins (9), and the squeak will go away, so that might be the source of the confusion. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done the fix the issue related to part five or from the drag knob end of the reel.
The problem seems to be that the drag washer (12, probably Teflon or some similar material) squeaks against the stainless steel washers (11,13) when under pressure. That water seem to kick the squeak off indicate to me that the friction properties of the material change when a thin film of water coats part or all of 12. So the former physics professor in me reasoned that something to keep the water away from the physical surface of the washer was the ticket. Normally I would be hesitant to apply lubrication to a drag mechanism, but the reel is simple enough that I could just wipe it off again if needed, and I was desperate since nothing I tried up to then worked for me. What I did was apply a thin film of Penn Precision Reel Grease. I smeared this on with my hand thinly on part 12. This fixed the squeak completely. It also should prevent any water from coating the surface of 12, if that ends up being the source of the squeak. So hopefully more water resistant - we will see.
As a side effect this also fixes the other common problem with this reel (and a lot of inexpensive reels) that people complain of in online forums, and that is the start-up lock when drag first starts to go out. This simple fix seems to smooth out the drag nicely - or as we say in the physics biz, lowered the coefficient of static friction. However, if people have prior experience with "dry" drag washers then the maximum drag will go down a bit. But I am able to get more than enough max drag (in excess of 5 lbs) with the Penn grease applied. This should be plenty for the reel's intended purpose, and more than made up for by the smoothness. At any rate people can experiment with how much or little grease to apply to 12, to taste.
For what it is worth, to grease washer 12 you have to get to it from the other side. Take off spool, unscrew 23 and remove 19 and the other parts of the spindle. At this point I have to point out that the parts diagram is totally missing an important set of parts, a "drag cover" with 3 screws, and an additional Teflon-type washer. This stuff goes between 13 and 14 with the unlisted drag washer against 13 and the cover going over it all. Anyway the next step is to remove the cover. 13 and 12 can then be pulled off, and 12 cleaned and greased. For what it is worth I also greased the unlisted teflon washer between 13 and the "drag cover" by the same logic described above - they are the same material. Possibly these drag washers were factory greased, and it simply wore off/degraded siting in the box. However there was no sign these were ever greased. Possly this was not the original intent, but it does work. When the squeaking starts (for me, and for others I read about) it is continuous and loud whenever the drag is applied.
Hope this helps somebody in the future.
Here is some information that, possibly, may be of use to other customers experiencing the drag squeak on the Echo Ion reels.
I've now officially taken apart the entire Ion reel to investigate. Well, I didn't take apart the handle or counter weight, but everything else in extenso. The squeak is not due to part #5 (compression o-ring), it is due to the drag washers (11,12,13, and another washer not in your parts diagram). In particular the interface between 12 and the two stainless steel washers (11 and 13). If #5 is taken out the drag knob will no longer apply pressure to 11,12,13 though the dowel pins (9), and the squeak will go away, so that might be the source of the confusion. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done the fix the issue related to part five or from the drag knob end of the reel.
The problem seems to be that the drag washer (12, probably Teflon or some similar material) squeaks against the stainless steel washers (11,13) when under pressure. That water seem to kick the squeak off indicate to me that the friction properties of the material change when a thin film of water coats part or all of 12. So the former physics professor in me reasoned that something to keep the water away from the physical surface of the washer was the ticket. Normally I would be hesitant to apply lubrication to a drag mechanism, but the reel is simple enough that I could just wipe it off again if needed, and I was desperate since nothing I tried up to then worked for me. What I did was apply a thin film of Penn Precision Reel Grease. I smeared this on with my hand thinly on part 12. This fixed the squeak completely. It also should prevent any water from coating the surface of 12, if that ends up being the source of the squeak. So hopefully more water resistant - we will see.
As a side effect this also fixes the other common problem with this reel (and a lot of inexpensive reels) that people complain of in online forums, and that is the start-up lock when drag first starts to go out. This simple fix seems to smooth out the drag nicely - or as we say in the physics biz, lowered the coefficient of static friction. However, if people have prior experience with "dry" drag washers then the maximum drag will go down a bit. But I am able to get more than enough max drag (in excess of 5 lbs) with the Penn grease applied. This should be plenty for the reel's intended purpose, and more than made up for by the smoothness. At any rate people can experiment with how much or little grease to apply to 12, to taste.
For what it is worth, to grease washer 12 you have to get to it from the other side. Take off spool, unscrew 23 and remove 19 and the other parts of the spindle. At this point I have to point out that the parts diagram is totally missing an important set of parts, a "drag cover" with 3 screws, and an additional Teflon-type washer. This stuff goes between 13 and 14 with the unlisted drag washer against 13 and the cover going over it all. Anyway the next step is to remove the cover. 13 and 12 can then be pulled off, and 12 cleaned and greased. For what it is worth I also greased the unlisted teflon washer between 13 and the "drag cover" by the same logic described above - they are the same material. Possibly these drag washers were factory greased, and it simply wore off/degraded siting in the box. However there was no sign these were ever greased. Possly this was not the original intent, but it does work. When the squeaking starts (for me, and for others I read about) it is continuous and loud whenever the drag is applied.
Hope this helps somebody in the future.
