I have a silvermax 3 and recently took it apart to clean, well when I went to go test with my new rod my drag was loose. It was loose even when I had it maxed out. It doesn't have braid it has 15 pound mono. I've tried everything respooled it, cleaned it again, and changed the drag washers to be like this (), but still having problems. does anybody have any suggestions?

Make sure the AR clutch is seated so that the sleeve protrudes enough for the drag to apply pressure. 

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Make sure the AR clutch is seated so that the sleeve protrudes enough for the drag to apply pressure. 

Well I tried this and made sure it was seated but it didn’t work. Maybe I’m doing something wrong I don’t know what to do anymore. Any more suggestions?

Go back through the drag stack from ratchet gear on up. Something is missing or mis-assembled. Post pics if you can maybe we can spot something. 

If you have the reel's schematic, look closely at the way the drag stack (washers) alternate. Some reels also have a drag washer under the main gear. If yours does, you may have placed it in the stack, or misplaced it.

I just checked the schematic for a Black Max and noticed ther3e is a washer between the metal pressure washer of the drag and the IAR sleve.  If its missing, there won't be enough pressure applied to the drag assembly.

On 5/27/2021 at 8:58 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Go back through the drag stack from ratchet gear on up. Something is missing or mis-assembled. Post pics if you can maybe we can spot something. 

 

The metal drag washer is upside down. Install it with the “bump” facing up. The next washer goes on last just before the star. Try that and see what happens 

6 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The metal drag washer is upside down. Install it with the “bump” facing up. The next washer goes on last just before the star. Try that and see what happens 

Thanks for the help! I guess my 13 year old brain couldn’t remember to flip that washer.

No problem. Everyone gets these growing pains. Kudos for having the initiative to tackle a problem.