Hi guys, I purchased a Shimano Sahara spinning reel a couple of days ago and it feels a little stiff, like it takes more effort to reel in a lure than my other reels. Nothing too drastic it just seems like I have to exert more effort than I have to do with my lews in the same price range. I've done a basic lubrication job on it, consisting of oiling and greasing the easily accessible parts and undeer the rotor. just the stuff I could get to without completely opening it up (which I am willing to do if I have to). I'm not too educated on the inner workings of these things. Does it need a break in period? Does it have something to do with it having so few bearings (3bb and 1rb)? Or do I have an issue? Thanks in advance.

I would return it and get a replacement. The reel should be smooth out of the pkg.

If you are referring to the binding problem then it is a well documented issue on Sahara and Symetre reels. Shimano and various reel techs claim they can fix the issue but it is usually short lived. Once the reel gets set it will likely do it again. I would suggest another brand of reel or stepping up to the Saros or Stradic.

Too much grease in the bearing under the handle??

If it's a new reel and it didn't get really wet then I would return it because it should be smooth. If it got real wet then it's probably the large rubber ring under the rotor that is the problem. I had a symmetry that got soaked during a rain storm and got stiff. After some Internet searching I decided to change that ring out with a new one and I haven't had a problem with that reel since.

i'd take it back... I fish with all saharas from 1000-3000 size and they are all suppose to be buttery smooth out of the box. 

I own multiple Saharas and they have all been smooth out of the box. They really are great reels better than any other $80 reel that I have tried

I think I found the culprit, I loosened that 1/2" nut at the bottom of the spool shaft because it seemed a little too tight and now it's much snoother.

That doesn't make sense.  I'd return it.

You said you lubricated it. Was it stiff before that or did you lube it out of the box?  

I had an issue with what I believe is called the friction ring on a Sahara once after annual maintenance.  My assumption was that I either used a lubricant or cleaner that wasn't compatible with it, or I over tightened something causing the ring to swell or over-compress which created the drag.  Ultimately the ring came out from under the rotor in 2 pieces and the reel performs no differently than before it was an issue. I don't know enough about spinning reels to know what that ring actually is supposed to do but it not being there hasn't created an issue over the last five years.  

If it came out of the box dragging I'd definitely bring it back.  If not you could probably still exchange it I suppose.  

 

I exchanged it, I think I might just buy a good ol' pflueger president