Hey guys. To summarize, how important is the centrifugal brake? I was recently overhauling a sticky bait casting reel I have (ardent apex grand) and was cleaning up the bearings in the spool when the centrifugal brake fell out. The disk and all the pins fell out entirely. When I was popping the pins back into place, the plastic disk snapped, making it useless. Should I contact ardent about a replacement piece, or can I get by without the centrifugal brake? Thanks for the help. 

First, welcome to the site.  I am going to assume you didn't learn on a baitcast reel with no brakes.  If that's the case, replace the part.

You can always send it into DVT. Have him go through everything, order parts if needed, upgrade things inside. I think he does a bearing upgrade to corrosion resistant bearings. Something to consider. 

I have the same reel but the BFS version and I'd say the brake is pretty important but I don't run any spool tension.  You could just crank down on the spool tension for a slow drop and you basically have braking profile of an antique reel but it will work.  I'd contact Ardent but if you can't get anywhere with that then you have other options below. 

 

Those reels are rebranded Haibos and that centrifugal brake is prone to falling off.  Mine fell off multiple times on my Haibo Smart.  It's so bad there is a conversion kit on aliexpress for the Haibo Smart and Steed.  

$8.80 | Small tools to change haibo smart from dual brake to magnetic brake
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mO2QhjZ

 

Or you can just buy the brakes if the holder isn't broken.

 

$4.99 | HaiBo Smart Fishing Reel Centrifugal 6pcs Brake Bean Accessories 
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMystrh

 

Or just buy a whole Haibo reel for $58 so now you have a parts reel

$58.00 | Haibo STEED  Baitcasting fishing reel Left/right hand All metal Centrifugal 6.5:1 8+1 Bearings,175g,Free shipping
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKT8L4j

I have the Piscifun version of that reel and my centrifugal brakes did the same thing so I’m using it with only the magnetic brakes with zero issues.

You wouldn’t be the first to run a reel with no brakes or mag only. The need for the inoperable brakes is dependent upon you as the user. I’d want them if it were mine. Parts availability is the next hurdle 

@GeorgeH04 As I said in a different post I contacted Ardent about a cosmetic replacement piece for my Piscifun which is a different branded Ardent Apex Elite and they couldn’t have been more pleasant to deal with. I reached out through E-mail and received a response the next day and the part in question free of charge within a week.