Never,ever remove the big plastic gear that drives the level wind by prying it from the side.If you do you will loosen the dog it turms on. Abu sent me a replacement sideplate for free,but I couldn't use the reel for 2 weeks. Also put a drop of light oil on the aforementioned dog at least twice a season or the reel will start screaming on hard casts. Drag washers in 6500 series reels can be replaced with ht100s from a Penn 965. Use two on the outside and leave in the middle stock washer. I can set my 6500 rocket to 15 lbs of drag with this set up.
7000 series drags are OK to begin with.