Penn Slammer IV 8500 - Feeling resistance while reeling

[drichitt]

Edit: Problem resolved. There were 3 shim washers (#8A); 2 thin and 1 was a tad thicker. Removed one of thin washers and all is good.

I just completed a 100% teardown, clean, relube and reassembly of a Slammer IV 8500. I found this reel attached to a rod in 65' of water while diving in the Keys. Had not been on bottom too long so it cleaned up pretty easily.

Upon completion, the reel spins nice and smoothly so long as you don't tighten the four side plate screws those last 2-3 turns. Once the screws are tightened fully, reel spins ok, but not as freely as it should.

The rubber body seal (#2L) was in good shape, so I gently cleaned it and placed it back in the groove; it fits perfectly.

Any ideas what could be binding?