Reel Repair by Alan Tani

I have seen multiple times where people praise the drag of the ABU?Zebco Cardinal 4.

I don't get it.  Have I been gas lighted?....lol

I know what smooth is.  I know what herky jerky is.

With over 50 baitcasters and conventionals,....and twenty something spinners( IIRC),...I am not new to reel service.

Why can't I get a smooth drag w/ the phenolic resin type drag in the spinners?
I can get a smooth drag with the phenolic resin drags in the early ambassadeurs.

What gives?

Posted @12:50pm central time.

No Aggregated Ignorance was used in the making of this posting.

I use Cardinal 3s & 4s exclusively and never seem to have a problem with a jerky drag, but then I make sure they have appropriate lubrication. I also lighten the drag setting if the reel will be sitting around unfished for more than two weeks. Before I make my first cast I always pull the line to make sure the drag is set correctly and working smoothly like it should. Maybe your SS & fiber washers need a thorough cleaning, buffing and lubrication.

I've had the same experience as drumbum. Haven't been able to figure it out. Sold/gave away a 4 & a 6 and kept a 7X. The 7X has a bit of start-up but is relatively smooth after that. Helped me beat the most energetic Uku(Gray Snapper) I've ever hooked, a week ago.
Maybe try what Tommy says. Or replace the metal and fiber washers. But with mine, I can't help thinking that maybe the fulcrum lever was not applying even pressure on the drag washers...couldn't tell.

Quote from: Midway Tommy on May 06, 2026, 05:26:59 AMI use Cardinal 3s & 4s exclusively and never seem to have a problem with a jerky drag, but then I make sure they have appropriate lubrication. I also lighten the drag setting if the reel will be sitting around unfished for more than two weeks. Before I make my first cast I always pull the line to make sure the drag is set correctly and working smoothly like it should. Maybe your SS & fiber washers need a thorough cleaning, buffing and lubrication.

Thanks for responding Tommy.

I originally hand lapped all washers.  Braided line (always smooths drag).

Purchased NEW complete drag assembly and got screwed (fred).  Sent used,(and replied w/complete BS).

Lube with Cals.  Tried dry.  Tried dry teflon (not good for fast runners).

The C3 is easy being leather drags,....but the C4....cheese and crackers I can't imagine they sold new with drags this bad.

I have even noticed the line contacts the cup when spool is retracted.

I have seen ZERO video of drag in action with these reels (and not many others....lol).

I don't expect modern perfection from a vintage reel,....but I would expect usable.

Thoughts?

Quote from: Gfish on May 06, 2026, 06:10:22 AMI've had the same experience as drumbum. Haven't been able to figure it out. Sold/gave away a 4 & a 6 and kept a 7X. The 7X has a bit of start-up but is relatively smooth after that. Helped me beat the most energetic Uku(Gray Snapper) I've ever hooked, a week ago.
Maybe try what Tommy says. Or replace the metal and fiber washers. But with mine, I can't help thinking that maybe the fulcrum lever was not applying even pressure on the drag washers...couldn't tell.

I can suffer a bit of start up surge (stiction) with the same material in the earlier Ambassadeurs,...but can still have smooth payout (if not the most powerful).

I even tried a different orientation of the second belleville washer to no avail.

It was an act of desperation to purchase a supposed NEW drag assembly when close examination and prep revealed zero concerns with the originals.

Thanks for the comments.

I guess the only things I have to add is that I use Super Lube on the washers as the grease, both SS & fiber and the nylon click, and add a little synthetic oil after the drag stack is in place.

Other than that, I only use Trilene XL in 6# (Card 3) & 8# (Card 4) so my drag is only ever set down just tight enough to protect those lines from breaking. I never crank them down so far that the line might have a chance to break. That's just the way I was taught to set/adjust my drag, and it has always worked just fine for my type of fishing.

A couple of things that a lot of people don't think about when critiquing their drag startup and jerkiness is the smoothness of their rod guides, and also the action of the rods they are using. The more flex there is in the rod the more difficult it is for the line to start sliding smoothly along the length of it, especially the 1/3 toward the tip. All  my rods are fast or extra fast action, so there's not a whole lot of bend out toward the tips. That allows the line to pull out much easier against the drag.   

I've been lubing the washers on my Cardinals with Super Lube ISO VG 220 (90W) gear oil.  It stays in place and the startup is nice and smooth.  For the rest, a light glazing of Super Lube NLGI 2 on the gears and drive gear bushing(s).  The 90W gear oil is also nice for the pinion bearing.  A drop and work it around, stays put a long time.  I too am a big fan of Super Lube products, just a bummer they no longer sell through their site.

Got a vid of how smooth the drag is?

I have tried super lube on drags many years ago and was not satisfied.
I have it and use it for many apps for years,....but not for spinners, and can't remember the last time on a conventional or baitcaster.

I lubed some BG20's that had an annoying hang up with superlube,...especially in current, when trying to reel.

You sound drumbum, like a perfectionist. I can identify with that. JMO, but not a good idea to mention names as in your 2nd post here. That kinda thing is perhaps best kept between you and the other party in the deal.

Quote from: Gfish on May 08, 2026, 11:20:15 PMYou sound drumbum, like a perfectionist. I can identify with that. JMO, but not a good idea to mention names as in your 2nd post here. That kinda thing is perhaps best kept between you and the other party in the deal.

Are you thinking I am referring to Fred here?  No.  I am not.

I am referring to a seller at sleazebay selling used parts as new.   I am quite tired of doing R&D for corporations and playing the BS games at sleazebay.

How hard is it to KNOW what you are selling?  Should the seller be protected?

Plausible deniability is not valid with me anymore.

Gotcha! And agree.

Quote from: drumbum on May 13, 2026, 03:05:21 PMI am referring to a seller at sleazebay selling used parts as new.   I am quite tired of doing R&D for corporations and playing the BS games at sleazebay.

How hard is it to KNOW what you are selling?  Should the seller be protected?

If something is advertised as new and sold used then notify the seller when you receive it, and if the seller doesn't make it right immediately then file a complaint with eBay. It's a pretty simple process. Honesty and integrity is sparsely populated these days. 

Quote from: Midway Tommy on May 13, 2026, 05:55:15 PM

Quote from: drumbum on May 13, 2026, 03:05:21 PMI am referring to a seller at sleazebay selling used parts as new.   I am quite tired of doing R&D for corporations and playing the BS games at sleazebay.

How hard is it to KNOW what you are selling?  Should the seller be protected?

If something is advertised as new and sold used then notify the seller when you receive it, and if the seller doesn't make it right immediately then file a complaint with eBay. It's a pretty simple process. Honesty and integrity is sparsely populated these days. 

yeah,.....did that.   Jumped through the hoops of taking CLEAR well defined pictures and got lies about "chromed steel and carbon fiber"   and the parts looked good,.......after saying he looked at his stock and found greasy click wheels.

It is the same story over and over,.....send the parts back so I can try to unload them on someone else.

Another recent feedback of the seller was about a cardinal spool.

Pay,....wait,.....receive and inspect,.....communicate over days,....get lied to,....and then assume that I would get my money back AFTER I ship and wait until the seller receives.

At the time I did a quick assessment of recent purchases on my sleazebay home page,....and approximately 25% were effed up someway or an outright scam.

I just received a 1500yd spool of some 40# stealth and notice the "line holding sticker" was on the bottom,......seemed well attached, but I know they are placed on the line.  When I removed the sticker, I could see where it was originally place on the line from color transfer,....which then necessitated transferring the line from one spool to another while measuring with a line counter.

It was a full 1520yds,...but I had to jump through hoops again.

Am I breaking a forum rule by posting facts?

Should I post the sleazebay store that sold the "new" drag assembly?

I did save the entire communication with the seller......LOL.

I am not an embracer of the beast system.

.....and No,....airing of grievances was not the purpose of this thread.

QuoteI just received a 1500yd spool of some 40# stealth and notice the "line holding sticker" was on the bottom,......seemed well attached, but I know they are placed on the line.  When I removed the sticker, I could see where it was originally place on the line from color transfer,....which then necessitated transferring the line from one spool to another while measuring with a line counter.

It was a full 1520yds,...but I had to jump through hoops again.

I think Gfish may be on target in the first sentence of #8 above. 

Quote from: Midway Tommy on May 13, 2026, 07:43:54 PM

QuoteI just received a 1500yd spool of some 40# stealth and notice the "line holding sticker" was on the bottom,......seemed well attached, but I know they are placed on the line.  When I removed the sticker, I could see where it was originally place on the line from color transfer,....which then necessitated transferring the line from one spool to another while measuring with a line counter.

It was a full 1520yds,...but I had to jump through hoops again.

I think Gfish may be on target in the first sentence of #8 above. 

Sooooo...... a bit of the old "ignorance is bliss" thoughts.

LOL.

I'm taking it as,....If you bought a NEW spool of line that was not in a sealed package,.....you would just take the sellers word for it?

....in 2026?

Like buying meat at ShenZhenMart where a 5 lb cut of meat is only 2.5 lb....lol.  Want a link?

etc., ect., ect.

I think I may have a bit of the "caveat emptor"....on steroids mentality....lol.

I disagree with the "perfectionist" label.   I just think the bar has been lowered waaaaaaaaaay too low.  Perfection is not attainable, save for one.

Thank you for replying Tommy, sincerely.