I have an Ardent Apex Elite that makes a clicking noise on the retrieve. It only happens when under load like when reeling in a fish but even noticed today it does it when reeling in a 3/8 oz jig. It casts like a bullet and no odd noises when casting so I don't think it's the spool bearings. I've pretty well cleaned and re-lubed the whole reel, worm gear and all, no improvements. Figured I'd ask here before I send it in for professional help lol. 

Call Ardent, they can probably tell you what the problem is. It's a new reel to the market, I'm sure yours isn't the first to click.

That sound is your teeth chattering viciously in anticpation of the strike..........

That sound is your teeth chattering viciously in anticpation of the strike..........

I thought that was my knees knockin'

It's almost impossible to diagnose without seeing it. Is there a mechanical AR in that reel? The fact that it happens under load may mean the fit of the spool in the frame is not good. Since you've had it apart all you can do is double check the schematic and be sure everything is there and seated correctly. 

It's almost impossible to diagnose without seeing it. Is there a mechanical AR in that reel? The fact that it happens under load may mean the fit of the spool in the frame is not good. Since you've had it apart all you can do is double check the schematic and be sure everything is there and seated correctly. 

No, there's no mechanical AR that I noticed. It's just weird that it does it under load. Casting is quiet. Actually casts as good as any reel I have. It was doing it new out of the box and I should have returned it, but I thought noooooo, I can find this noise. And I was wrong, lol. 

Could it be the worm with lateral pressure on the line guide? Could rule that our by reeling it with slight thumb side pressure on the guide.

Could it be the worm with lateral pressure on the line guide? Could rule that our by reeling it with slight thumb side pressure on the guide.

Never thought of that, thanks for suggesting. I'll give that a a look too.

Just thought of something positive. You have a great chatter bait reel. lol

 

My new Lews Super Duty was a little noisy and just felt geary, I opened it up to take a look. No Grease anywhere.... Somebody wasn't paying attention when it was put together. Dah!

On a brighter note they didn't forget to put a drop of oil on the spool axle. 

Just thought of something positive. You have a great chatter bait reel. lol

 

My new Lews Super Duty was a little noisy and just felt geary, I opened it up to take a look. No Grease anywhere.... Somebody wasn't paying attention when it was put together. Dah!

On a brighter note they didn't forget to put a drop of oil on the spool axle. 

 

Yeah, every lure i use with it is a chatter bait, lol.

 

I've taken this reel apart probably 5 times, cleaned, relubed, rechecked, still never found the problem. I contacted Ardent and Friday and sent it back to be checked. Probably what I should have done when I bought it. But that's kinda like pulling over and asking for directions when you are lost, lol.

Yeah, every lure i use with it is a chatter bait, lol.

 

I've taken this reel apart probably 5 times, cleaned, relubed, rechecked, still never found the problem. I contacted Ardent and Friday and sent it back to be checked. Probably what I should have done when I bought it. But that's kinda like pulling over and asking for directions when you are lost, lol.

 

I just printed a label for the Super Duty. I noticed it as I turn the handle slow is has a bit if a oval shape to the rotation so the crank shaft or whatever is not perfectly straight. Could be something small but I'm not dealing with it. I want the reel replaced. I have 5 other Lews and none of them are like this. Who ever put this one together was smokin something that day.

Don't have a clue - I'm not that mechanical or brave enough to go about disassembling my reels.  I know how to do basic oiling maintenance and that's it.  I know that I have several reels that are currently on the shelf because of annoying little clicks.  It is good that Chronarch 50E's are on sale for $180, so that's how I solve that problem.

Don't have a clue - I'm not that mechanical or brave enough to go about disassembling my reels.  I know how to do basic oiling maintenance and that's it.  I know that I have several reels that are currently on the shelf because of annoying little clicks.  It is good that Chronarch 50E's are on sale for $180, so that's how I solve that problem.

 

I know the first few times I took one apart I was pretty nervous lol. Despite all the claims about how this company is built better than that companies reel, the all basically have the same parts and similar designs.

 

This one was almost a continuous clicking on the retrieve but quite as a church mouse on the cast. The rep at Ardent responded to my initial email within an hour and emailed back and forth several times through the day, so that was a good sign. I mostly bought this reel because I wanted to try a reel with magnetic brakes as all the rest of mine or centrifugal or dual. Plus I got it NIB for $90, it retails for $149. I hope to hear something from Ardent by the end of the week.

An update on the reel....

 

Got it back from Ardent today, they replaced the main gear, pinion and spool under warranty and all is quiet. I hated to give up on this reel because it will cast a mile, even outdistancing some of my other reels which include a Chronarch CI4 and Lew's Tournament Pro. 

 

Two thumbs up to Ardent and their customer service.