Hi guys , newbie here. I have a Tld 25 that when you apply the lever drag the crank handle gets harder to turn, the more drag the harder the handle is to turn. at full drag handle almost locks up. all of components on inside look to be good and all assembled just like schematic. this thing is killing me. any help???
it's gotta be the pinion bearing, aka right main side plate bearing. check it for damage. it's probably completely seized up!!!!!
Have you checked the drag numbers at strike? If the preset knob is turned to tight you may be over fishing that reel. Meaning fishing more drag than the reel was designed for. Check the drag at strike first so you know what those lbs are.
It could be a bearing like Alan said or maybe you could be applying more than drag than the reel was meant to be fished at.
A starting reference at the lbs at strike should IMO be looked at first.