Accurate BV 400 handle increasingly stiff to wind thmore the drag lever engaged

[day0ne]

It sounds to me like you are setting the drag too high and are crushing the bearing when you engage the drag. What is the measured drag at strike?

[Gfish]

Hi Susie. 1st the drag lever should be in the free-spool position. If it's back together right, the spool shaft should be sticking-out enough to thread the knob on. If it's not sticking-out enough the cam parts might be out of proper arrangement.
Does the drag knob turn at all? Or does it turn but no drag adjustment takes place?