Are my drag washers trash?
 

Last night after landing 4 albies, and loosing another at the boat I noticed my Penn 4400 was making almost a grinding noise, the albies made ferocious runs against the drag, is it possible the wore something out? The reel did not get wet.

What's happens when you pull line against the drag?

Mako the grinding is when I am reeling, the drag seems to still be working, I just figured the hard run on the drag may have damaged a washer and in turn damaged something else, I'll pop it open tonight. Not that I know what I am looking for though, lol

Open it up and see what it looks like inside.

It doesn't take much to rough up the guts. A little left over salt from dunking, etc.

I know it didn't get wet but you know what I mean. :rolleyes:

Use some reel lube while you are in there.

I looked at a 4400 for someone and the anti reverse pawl was eating into the gear. Didn't have a pare, bent the ears out a little greased it up and it is still working last I heard.

179,
So what did you find when you opened it up? Grinding while cranking doesn't sound like a drag problem to me. More like ther is something in the gears.

yep..my bet is some little wire spring is floating around in there. or...a bearing is crapped out.

Its not going to bethe drag! I n mine the gear had some crap in them?? Maybe salt or even sand, Had to clean it up and regrease and all was good!

Hopefully I can pop it open tonight, I'll let you know what I find...thanks for the help...