This is a first for me. Last season I put new Ht100s in a Squidder. It's been fished twice for bass so no burning drag power runs.. Today I installed one of Brian's 5 stacks and found alot of black grease. When it's all cleaned up I was left with two nearly pristine CF washers and this one. Penn steel gear and a stainless sleeve. No issues in the pinion or yoke either. It's the middle washer between the keyed and eared stainless washers. No burning on the stainless and no damage to the other washers. Just a faulty washer or?
It looks fine. It's a loose weave.
Brian the picts not he best but there are two spots where the cf is gone and the shiny core is exposed. I'm guessing it's a qc issue and nothing wrong with the gear.
I wouldnt worry about it. It could be a high spot that made the washer wear faster there. I do see wear in these washers, especially in my drag kits where both faces of the washers are working.
QC issues in my experience are more along the lines of the cf and fiberglass core layers separating.
not a problem!