Troubleshooting stiff handle on abu baitcaster. What to look for?

[pointbob]

So I put together an abu 6500 and now the handle is stiff when retrieving. Not impossible but not smooth and easy. What could I have done to make this happen? over greased the drag gear/ drive shaft assembly?

Everything else works fine...drifts fine...casts fine....just noticably stiff retrieving.

[JasonGotaProblem]

Dial the drag back to zero. Is it still stiff?

Hold down the freespool button and turn the handle. Is it still stiff?

Did you replace any parts while you were in there?

[Gfish]

I's gonna say check part arrangement on the whole drive shaft(anything upside-down?), but Jason's diagnostic questions are the way to start.

[pointbob]

Dial the drag back to zero. Is it still stiff?

Hold down the freespool button and turn the handle. Is it still stiff?

Did you replace any parts while you were in there?

Yes, drag all the way back and it's stiff. I'll take it apart later today but the model is the one with the dog.

ps..if I hold down the freespool and hold it also seems stiff...but keeps trying to click and re engage...

[nelz]

If I understand you, it free-spools properly? Then it must be something in the drive shaft components that is assembled incorrectly; washers, shims, drag disks. Follow the schematic carefully. Did you put the little clip #4490 on?

[pointbob]

If I understand you, it free-spools properly? Then it must be something in the drive shaft components that is assembled incorrectly; washers, shims, drag disks. Follow the schematic carefully. Did you put the little clip #4490 on?

  PS. THANKS ALL. it's fixed now. 1) There was too much grease around the drive shaft gears. 2) The dog ears were way bent too tight. Loosened them open and fixed.