I have a couple Lews Tournament MG reels and really like them with one exception...the sleeve around the worm gear shaft.  It is a plastic guide/guard/sleeve that the line guide rides along.  I have had a problem  with the plastic gouging or becoming rough, and affecting feel of the reel.  From what I understand, the levelwind uses a similar system.

 

So my question is....what reels have a metal guide/sleeve, or is there a design that does away with this altogether?

Every reel I own uses plastic for that piece. From low-high end reels. I've never experienced and problems that you mention. Is it multiple reels that do this or just one?

Calcutta TE and GTE  Series, Conquest series and

Daiwa Luna's have metal sleeves and metal line guides.

Every reel I own uses plastic for that piece. From low-high end reels. I've never experienced and problems that you mention. Is it multiple reels that do this or just one?

 

It has happened to two different reels.  I'm wondering if it's the nasty sand that always seems to be blowing at our local lakes?  I took some 1200 to it wet to smooth it out, and so far so good.