How Do I? Need help with drag

Vicehung · Oct-30-2009, 09:49 PM

I've got an older avet mxl with the removable drag washer. Somehow the drag washer got some oil on it (previous owner). I tried greasing the washer with Cals which smoothed it out but it was still notchy.

I actually just got the reel back from Avet and asked them to replace the washer, but the drag still doesn't feel right (not sure if it got replaced). It's still pretty notchy. I'm gonna try to clean the drag washer out this weekend. I've seen other posts that say to degrease the washer with white gas.

Are there any other solvents I can use that won't harm the drag washer?

TIA,
Vicehung

coryellk · Oct-31-2009, 02:28 PM

I think de-greasing is the wrong path. Open it up and see what Avet did. Remove the c-clip, and inspect the washer. Is it flat? Is the pressure plate flat? You may need to use a piece of glass underneath some sandpaper and rub plate in circles to remover glaze or burrs and reinstall. Put generous amounts of Cals into both sides of the drag washer and wipe excess off the business side once you put the c-clip back on. Let us know how it turns out.

1974jim · Oct-31-2009, 08:02 PM

Can't hurt to clean both the washer AND drag plate. I like CRC Lectra-Motive, from most Ace hardware stores. Gets anything and everything out without harming even plastic stuff. Then use just a BREATH of Cal's drag grease. As Eric told me once, "you can't use too little, but you sure can use too much." If you can look at a washer and say 'oh yeah, that one's greased' it's too much.
Then try it out by pulling line off, not any other test. If this doesn't do it THEN you can start looking for the really bad things.

Vicehung · Oct-31-2009, 09:41 PM

Thanks. I'll definitely take it apart and check the drag plate and see if the washer is a newer one. I think I even have some sandpaper laying around somewhere. I'll probably give avet a call on Monday too. If they replaced the drag washer would they have included it when they returned the reel? I did get all the old bearings back in a zip loc.

Thx guys.

okie man · Nov-01-2009, 08:24 AM

i've had a few avets that feel like that and all i did was flip the washer over to the other side and grease it with cal's . fixed every it every time

Vicehung · Nov-04-2009, 04:39 PM

Tore the reel apart this weekend. Looks like AVET didn't replace the washer. I called them up and they are sending me a new one. I did try flipping the washer over. It actually did help, but I could still feel that hitch when pulling line off.

Thanks all.

coryellk · Nov-11-2009, 01:45 AM

Did you hit the pressure plate with some sandpaper?

coryellk · Nov-11-2009, 01:46 AM

Greasing both sides might take care of the hitch as well.