Daiwa Mag Force V 103HA

[GeorgeN]

I was given this reel new years ago and have used it for light worm fishing and small crank baits.  For a fairly low end reel it actually performs fairly well and is actually a Daiwa reel made in Japan

The drag on this little reel got very jerky and stiff when adjusted and I decided to take it apart and do a clean/lube service for the first time since I've owned it.

The reel had a rather thick main drag washer that was completely dry and appeared to have never been greased.  I cleaned the drag washer, main gear assembly.  Oiled and lubed everything leaving the drag washer dry as I found it.  After re-assembly, the drag became smooth with no sticking. 

If anyone has experience with this little reel, can you tell me if the factory drag was indeed designed to be a dry one and I was right in not greasing it?  For a 4 bearing reel, I enjoy using it in freshwater.

Thanks, George

[Bryan Young]

Welcome George.  Glad to have you. I don't recall those reels coming with greased carbon fiber drag washers, so I can see that those will get jerky durning runs where the drags may get wet.

[GeorgeN]

Alan,

Thanks for your quick reply.  Yeah the thick drag washer it was made with had no sign whatsoever of being greased at the factory.  So for now the drag is smooth without the grease, as I said I just cleaned the washer by rubbing both sides on a flat clean paper towel and I cleaned the drive gear both in the recess side and the flat side.  We will see how long that lasts.  I will try and get bit a few times and fight some fish to see if it holds up.  I'm not sure how it would act if I greased the washer so will just leave well enough alone for now.
Will let you know how it performs on the water. 

Thanks again,
George San Diego, CA

[Bryan Young]

Can you post a pic of the washer?