I have a cheap Speed spool classic (CP1SH) that I use as a bfs reel. I recently switched from the original spool to an aftermarket BFS spool and immediately noticed problems. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the pinion gear seems slightly off center and doesn't turn unless the spool tension is fairly tight. When it does turn it is herky jerky. After looking at the real diagram, it seems like it's either the springs or the pinion gear itself.

Before I disassemble the reel further, I thought I would see what opinions Ye' Old Reel Sages had. I paid $30 for this reel and a new one is $90. Is it worth fixing?

Assuming it is a spring, are they interchangeable? I have some other broken reels I could harvest from.

Does it still work okay with the original spool? If so, the aftermarket spool is incompatible with the reel.

It does work with the original spool and I'd be inclined to agree with you. However, I have three of these reels and the spool works in the other two. The more I think about it, it must be the springs.

When you get to spindle run-out adjustment, no two spool spindles are exactly the same length.

I notice this on Ambassadeur to Zillion, and proper zero set is done with the reel in freespool.

Should be the first thing you do with a different spool installed.

(never had a BFS spool in a Lew's, and this was what sent me first to Daiwa).

Once the spool is installed, the pinion will be centered by the spool bearings. The variable is the run-out adjustment (end tension). With drive engaged, pinion rests on spool pin, and main gear alignment is controlled by run out adjustment. On Lew's you can also adjust the run out by the shim pads in the tension adjustment cap - also pn 106 under the backplate bearing. I'd look there before messing with the pinion-yoke springs. The shim pads get permanently mashed by running the reel with end tension.

If that doesn't work, I'd think about replacing the yoke springs and Both gears as a set.

In two decades I’ve never replaced “weak” yoke springs. Lost, bent, broken etc sure. If shim adjustments don’t work I’d look for another spool option. There are so many better bsf platforms I’d be hesitant to spend too much time on it. YMMV

Thank you all. @Delaware Valley Tackle I think you have the right idea. I have other BSF reels and it was a cheap reel to start with. But, properly tuned, they make great BFS reels. I caught 3 last night on one of the other reels (OG Lews Mach). Popper fishing on a casting reel is a dream.