Shimano Tiagra 50WLRSA Drag Frustration

[Italian Mike]

Good Afternoon.

I recently serviced 4 Tiagra 50WLRSA reels.  3 are great.  One has a drag problem.  I try to set the drag and I get free spool at all lever settings even when there is proper/desired drag at strike.  I took it apart 3 times now and no luck.  Bearings are great, greased the drag washer.  Nice free spool.  Clicker works, two speed works, no funny noises or "rubbing" parts.  There must be a difference somewhere.  Bellville washer set up?  Do I need a new drag washer?  Even if I did, I would think I could get some drag at different lever settings.

Any thoughts where I screwed up?

Thanks,

Mike

[alantani]

mike, with the right side plate off, i would push with my finger on the pinion bearing and work the lever to see if the cam pushes the bearing in.  when you work the lever back and forth, you should be able to feel the bearing move in and out. 

after that, there would have to be something on the left side of the spool that prevents the drag washer from coming in contact with the drag pressure plate. 

something is out of order.  can you let us know?