So I've been putting it off for a while because I only really open the side plate a handful of times a year, but getting the side plate off on my 50E is getting tough. I disassembled that side and checked that the clickpin for the turnkey was working properly. With the plate open I have zero issues turning the key. I cleaned up the brake case checking for any wear on the tabs that lock onto the frame. I inspected and cleaned the grooves on the frame where the brake case locks onto. Everything is assembled as it should be and yes I made sure the plastic spacer was installed between the case and turnkey. I ended up putting it off since it wasn't that big of a deal.

 

This week I was bored and decided I'd give it another look. I did everything I said above again and still couldn't find an issue. I tried with and without the spool installed and no luck. I decided to remove the brake case off of my newly acquired XT1000 and install in on the 50E. Works perfectly. Install the case off the 50E onto the XT and now that reels doing it. I removed the case off each reel and looked over each of them side by side to the best of my ability and besides the different bearing they're identical. No burrs or signs of wear on either one.

 

Thankfully this part is still available and I don't mind having to replace it if need be, but my question is what exactly would cause this and it there anything specific I should be looking for? I've had other reels just as long that have seen as much use and never had this issue. I tend to baby my gear and this particular reel has never seen saltwater. The sideplate isn't that hard to close but when it comes time to opening it I feel like I'm going to break the turnkey. Besides this issue the reel is fine and I'm still using it. If anybody here has any suggestions before I spent the $30 or so replacing the part it'd be much appreciated. 

I’m not sure what to tell you, I didn’t / don’t have this problem with 3 of my 50 series, aldebaran mg7, chronarch 50e and only one left scorpion 1000XT.

If the lock mechanism not working properly, it is better just replace it. I have kind of similar problem with my scorpion 70, the dial side plate is kind of loose that I can rock a little when close but not with curado 70. I swapped side plate between reel and same thing happen when I use scorpion’s side plate.