So I was adjusting one of my reels brakes today and decided to see how much resistance the max braking would have. After a few casts I went to turn down the braking and now it won’t go past halfway. I don’t want to force it. Anyone ever have this happen and is it fixable? Oh and the reel is a Lews Mach 2. 

what do you mean it doesnt go past halfway? I have Abu Garcia baitcasters and never have issues. 

Never had that happen. It's mechanical which means it's 100% fixable. Is it stuck half way up or half way down??

Have you opened the side plate to take a look? Im guessing opening the plate will help you alot. 

If the spool needs to be removed, mark the spool to the frame, so it can be replaced in the same position.  Lew's reels for some reason are particular.  Words from Lew's customer service (I didn't know and had a problem).  I think the brakes are on the handle side of the reel, so may be no need to remove the spool, unless for cleaning.

Has to be dirt. Use compressed air for a computer keyboard and blow it out clean and lube.

16 hours ago, GreenPig said:

Never had that happen. It's mechanical which means it's 100% fixable. Is it stuck half way up or half way down??

?From all the way up to half way up.

17 hours ago, Cam R said:

what do you mean it doesnt go past halfway? I have Abu Garcia baitcasters and never have issues. 

I can turn the brake knob from max to 50% and it won’t turn anymore. I feel like if I put anymore pressure on it something is going to get damaged.

10 hours ago, Wizzlebiz said:

Have you opened the side plate to take a look? Im guessing opening the plate will help you alot. 

Yes I’ve open the side plate nothing looks out of sorts.

 

7 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

Has to be dirt. Use compressed air for a computer keyboard and blow it out clean and lube.

Looks pretty clean I’ve only used it 3 times.

2 hours ago, DirtyYAK said:

?From all the way up to half way up.

I can turn the brake knob from max to 50% and it won’t turn anymore. I feel like if I put anymore pressure on it something is going to get damaged.

Yes I’ve open the side plate nothing looks out of sorts.

 

Looks pretty clean I’ve only used it 3 times.

Thats really weird, try looking online somewhere to figure out the issue. Or maybe Lews will be nice enough to replace it for you if you describe what happened. 

Those brake dials are a fairly common repair. One of the teeth on the knob might be bad. I’d explore the warranty route first. 

Did you find out what the problem was ?

I have the same problem with mine.

I've seen similar problems with some dual brake reels. 

answering the ancient addlement

 

If the OP cranked down the brake cap as far as he described, he brinnelled (permanently indented) the bronze bearing pads on the ends of the spindle. 

They'll never again tighten the spindle until they get replaced. 

 

If he's talking about the mag brake adjustment, he twisted it past the bump-stop. 

It's a booger to get that internal cam and the mag knob back in phase, but possible.