Side play (pulling left to right) on ABu reel handle. It's just a smidge but...

[pointbob]

I have an Abu 5600c4 that I have upgraded with smooothie drags and washers. I don't know if this problem was happening before the washers, but I think it was.... I have a smidge side-to-side play in the handle, as it sits on the shaft.
 

Any advice for me?

[nelz]

There's a tiny copper shim that sits at the base of the gear sleeve shaft. It's very easy to misplace and when it's left out you'll get that side play.

[borntofish]

The new drag washers may be slightly less in thickness which can create a bit of play.

[pointbob]

thanks; does the slight play affect the reel in a negative - cause premature wear on anything? I'd hate the handle to fall off. That's happened once before.

[JasonGotaProblem]

The C-clip is installed, right?

[ExcessiveAngler]

The C-clip is installed, right?

Dude, you stole my line lol!
I literally just posted if you have the e-clip on there, right?
And it said somebody just posted lol

[pointbob]

The C-clip is installed, right?

yes absolutely. (worlds stupidest design by the way but yes..c-clip is there)...

i should up load a video...

[Keta]

It is the shim under the AR ratchet.  Drag stack "play" is taken up by the star.

I was going to mention the "c" clip but I'm in 3rd place on it.

[pointbob]

It is the shim under the AR ratchet.  Drag stack "play" is taken up by the star.

I was going to mention the "c" clip but am in 3rd place on it.

ar? is that the anti reverse ratchet..i'll check that too

[Keta]

The shim washer not the AR ratchet.

[JasonGotaProblem]

I'm gonna throw out an idea I'm probably wrong about but maybe not.

There is a slight difference in sleeve and post lengths between earlier and later ambassadeurs. I discovered this as i was mixing and matching parts to put together a dual AR (dog and ARB). The mismatch i first encountered saw it become hard to turn the handle after the C clip went on because there wasn't enough clearance.

I could see how the opposite mismatch would result the axial play/movement you describe.

[Keta]

Different thicknesses of shim washers usualy cure this problem.

[pointbob]

update;

it was indeed the SHIM. Weirdly there was already a shim there at the bottom of post so I magyvered a 2nd shim out of a beer can. I cut a small round shim with scissors and punched a hole in the middle with screwdriver. Slid it on the post and everything was tight again. Virtually no play in the handle laterally and the rest of the reel work fine. Thanks all.