I am having a problem with my drag, this is not the time to send it in :wall: what is happening is it is always tight even with the knob off. I took the spool off and the retainer the first ss washer came out but I couldn't get the rest out they are stuck. should I use WD 40 or some type of penetrating oil?
I think they just need a cleaning. I really don't want to send it this week, I have a couple of weeks left before I have to return to work and I am fishing hard.

Sounds like it's an old Penn drag? Nothing to do but wrestle it out of there and either clean the current washers or replace them. I bet a call to VS could get a graphite drag stack sent out for cheap money so you don't have to worry about destroying the current one during removal.

What I often see happen is salt and corrosion build up resulting in what you're finding, an always on drag.

If it's a newer waterproof drag then I have no idea what's going on in there, never been inside one.

It is the old Penn drag, I will call tomorrow, Hopefully someone will answer

If it's the older drag system it is identical to the Penn 650 drag which you should be able to pickup anywhere. If you have or know of anyone who has some Braid Drag Lube get yourself some new Penn HT100 washers put a little drag lube on each side and that drag will be buttery.

I think VS uses their own graphite washers these days in the older VS reels, but obviously a Penn drag should still work in there too since it was what was in there orginally. I could be wrong about that, but I'm fairly sure.

I seem to remember being told that they went to their own more porous graphite washers to discourage any skipping when the drag gets really wet.

Bob -- Kay or Martha can help you - they have the washers in stock.

The Penn washers will work. Every time I send my VS in they replace the washers with there own and then I take them out and put Penn in with Braid Lube.

penn 650 drags fit like 5 reels. works really well too. i think ive got them in a 704z

The original VS drag washers were made out of a tan material they called "Rulon". They basically sucked. I did what Jeff does--installed the Penn HT-100s and used some sort of drag lube on them.

The correct washer size is part # 6-60. Same washers used in a number of Penn reels, including the Squidder, 704 and 706, and the 6500-850 SS reels.

Bob I use a metal dental pic..
Most harware stores sell em for a few bucks..
U can find em with a 90 bend in em u stick it in the shafthole an put it in the washer an pull out.w-d 40 will loosen em up make sure u clean em up.I don't usually like lube on my drags in my penns..

Thanks everyone I am going to do it now I will let you know how I make out
I have a Snap-on pick set so I should be alright.

Done deal 100% perfect now, I also replace my rod tip on the 1203-2
so simple a child could have done it :kewl:

so simple a child could have done it :kewl:
I guess the proof is in the putting :hee: :bl:

-spence

Ya 45 yrs. old with the mind of a 17 yr old :angel:

I f you need info on the newer van staal drag system (the water proof one) let me know as i just took one apart for a friend.

Lu I have the old one, I think they should give me a new spool.
Just because they should up grade there old stuff and it is a life
time warrantee

So when did they update their drags? Now I'm wondering what I have in my 200.......

To be honest your better off with the old drag versus the waterproof drag. My 200 has the older system and it's always smooth and my 150 the newer drag and it's so so.

Lu I have the old one, I think they should give me a new spool.
Just because they should up grade there old stuff and it is a life
time warrantee

It's not that simple. The new spools won't fit on the old shafts.

But they'll be glad to upgrade the reel by adding the new shaft as well as the spool---for $$$. ;)

I was told it was just under two hundred dollars to do it?

I managed to get a new shaft for my VS150 for free all I did was ask nicely, it was sent back to me no charge with a bag of old parts.

I was told it was just under two hundred dollars to do it?

So I've heard too, and I've also heard there's some language in their user agreement that when you send your reel in for service, they don't have to get your approval for any repairs that run under $200. Just as a coincidence. ;)

The shaft isn't covered by the warranty as it's considered a "normal wear and tear" component.

For a contrast, I much prefer the newer drag. Generally smoother and just as durable. All my reels are used in the boat for tuna as well as being used as surf reels. The only new style drag I got to fail is my VS100, but that was after several hundred little bft to 30 pounds and I have no idea how many albies, bonito, and skipjack.

I also know several people who have sold their old style drag stack reels to get into the newer waterproof drag. Wetsuiters and agressive waders in particular encounter exactly what Tattoobob did; corrosion or salt build up begins and the drag is always on or gets inconsistent. There's a reel sitting on the back counter at the shop with identical drag problems as we type. Really there's nothing wrong with the old stack at all, other then that you might have to police it a bit to avoid issues.

If your new style drag isn't smooth it's generally one of two things. One, it hasn't been attached to a quality fish yet. Drag quality will improve after being spun up by a quality fish or two if it's not perfect from the factory. Two, if it's not smooth after that something is wrong and it needs to be looked at.

Nightfighter, I'm not sure when they upgraded but it's quite a ways back now. I think at the start of Reel Ventures ownership, so that means a good 5 or 6 years ago at least. Easy way to tell them apart is the newer Titanium Nitride shaft is gold and the old one looks like stainless and

I pull my Penn style drag apart every few trips. It gunks up very quickly...

-spence

I pull my Penn style drag apart every few trips. It gunks up very quickly...

Pulling hard on rocks, weed and various other garbage I want to ensure it's in prime working condition :sick:

-spence