Wow Tinman
tell us how you REALLY feel
maybe that's why they stopped making them.
2 years use for 150 bucks ain't that bad if you were getting it wet IMO.
About your statement about exploding first time a 35 pounder is hooked with it, well I hate to tell you but not only did mine NOT explode, it handled a 42 pounder in a full running current caught on a jig(out deep, not bait next to the shorline). Also handled many 30's in the canal as well as a few nights of 30 fish 20-30 lbs. Drag is still as smooth as when I bought it. I have 2 7500's and 2 6500's for the beaches and I had one of each replaced because of gear grinding after many many fish and winching them when I should have used the rod more. I think it's a decent reel for someone who is lazy with maintenence like me, I can handle rinsing and oil the line roller once in a while but I can't deal with packing grease in a 704 or something.
If the line roller is what's making noise Mr.Striper, like MikeP said it's easy to take apart and oil it, but if the white teflon washer is mush or missing, just get a new assembly from pure fishing.