I just acquired a used cardiff 400 and the drag doesn't seem like it is all the way where it is supposed to be. I was hoping someone could point me in the direction of the parts needed to replace the drag system (i'm guessing it is just that i have over worn washers?) and how to go about doing it myself. or if you could point me in the direction of a reasonably priced reel repair guy. thanks in advance
Posted 5/21/2012 6:40 AM (#560915 - in reply to #560815) Subject: Re: Drag replacement?
Posts: 358
Location: London, England
Are you certain the drag's not working properly? Is the spool loaded with braid? Is there any mono backing under the braid, or was the braid taped to the spool? Put a dot on the side of the spool with a marker pen and pull the line off to check that the spool is turning and it's not the line slipping. Filing that, drag washers rarely wear that much, usually they just get contaminated with oil or grease. A strip down and de-grease of the fibre drag washers will probably restore the drag.
Posted 5/21/2012 2:23 PM (#561015 - in reply to #560915) Subject: Re: Drag replacement?
Posts: 1141
Location: NorthCentral WI
Tim Kelly - 5/21/2012 6:40 AM
A strip down and de-grease of the fibre drag washers will probably restore the drag.
I would definitely try cleaning the drag washers first. I've seen oil and dirt work it's way into the drag often enough. If that doesn't work you can always buy drag washers (original or upgrade) and install them. Pretty basic DIY.
Posted 5/21/2012 3:02 PM (#561029 - in reply to #560815) Subject: Re: Drag replacement?
Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160
The stock drag washers in a Cardiff will not last long and if they are oil and grease soaked I would not bother cleaning them, when you can install a set of Carbontex Washers that will last a lifetime and will have more lockdown power and will be twice as smooth as the stock fiber drag washers. If your going to take the time to open your reel up buy a set of Carbontex Drag washers and be done with it. Also sometimes I will play around with the drag spring washers in the drive shaft, by adding one or 2 more or moving them closer to the A/R Sleeve and that will increase the drag power of the reel 2-fold.
Drag replacement?