I recently picked up a Shimano sahara fj and when switching between left and right side of the handle the left side is smoother than the right side, this is annoying because I retrieve with my right hand, any solutions??? Bought out of Japan so not sure if I want to ship back

 

P.S (only occurs when spool and rotor are pointed up towards sky)

Wow.   Sorry but I have no idea.  I have at least 20 Shimano spinning reels, have switched the handles and never encountered that situation.  Have you called Shimano?

8 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Wow.   Sorry but I have no idea.  I have at least 20 Shimano spinning reels, have switched the handles and never encountered that situation.  Have you called Shimano?

I have not encountered it, I have not called shimano because this one is out of japan, I guess I could

I have the same reel. I only reel with my left hand and have not had this problem. 

16 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I have the same reel. I only reel with my left hand and have not had this problem. 

Thanks for the input.

I’m not for sure on the Sahara but on the Vanford, there is a bearing and a bearing retainer plate on the left side. The right side also has a bearing but no retainer plate. That minuscule amount of play could possibly be what you’re feeling or it could be the simple fact that the handle is closer to being directly in line with the drive gear on the left side, and further away from the gear on the right.

1 hour ago, bass raider said:

closer to being directly in line with the drive gear on the left side, and further away from the gear on the right.

I think you might have nailed it, because its much less resistance than any other reel in my arsenal, I just feel a slight geary ticking when reeling super fast which I have felt on some of my other reels as well, this might just be normal and I'm ocd, but every reel I own even of the same lineup does feel a little different, I think you hit it on the head.

I'm going to have to check mine for the same problem lol. I swapped mine to the right as soon as I got it without trying the left side.

5 hours ago, msgf91 said:

I'm going to have to check mine for the same problem lol. I swapped mine to the right as soon as I got it without trying the left side.

Yes you will have to let me know!