Newell S550 4.6 HELP PLS!

[BadJuJu]

My newell reel is hard to crank when star drag is backed off but very easy to crank when star drag is almost on lockdown.  It freespools fine and drag is very smooth when pulled.  Any help is very much appreciated guys.  Thanks in advance.

[alantani]

sounds like the drag stack is too thick or too high.  did you leave an extra drag washer in by chance?

[BadJuJu]

reel has 3 Carbontec drag washers.  Here is the sequence...  Thrust washer-main gear-carbontec drag - metal washer-carbontec drag- eared washer- carbontec drag - metal washer - beleville washer - gear sleeve. .  Is this correct Alan?  Btw, I changed from stock drags to carbontec drags but the metal washers are all stock.  Do I need to change these stock metal washers also?

[alantani]

you should have four carbontex drag washers.  the order should be gear sleeve -> carbon fiber -> main gear -> carbon fiber -> keyed metal -> carbon fiber -> eared metal -> carnbon fiber -> keyed metal -> belleville -> spacing collar -> spring washer -> star.

what is the thrust washer that you are starting with?

[BadJuJu]

Thrust washer is stock ( felt?) I will try get me some HT drag material I can use. Will see how that goes.  Thanks Alan.....

[Bryan Young]

If you still have issues, try removing the bevelled washer.