Why would you trust a company to repair a brand new reel that they knew, or should have known, requires service before being used?

If you are going to keep the reel, send it to someone you can trust (ReelMech) and have it done right. You'll have the reel back within a week or two for an all-in cost of $20 or less and peace of mind. Regardless of the excuses they make, Daiwa has not met their obligation to deliver a fully operational, precision reel. In my book, that is

inexcusable.

bighead,

After a closer look I found that the chrome piece in front of the level wind is cracked.

It's called the Front Plate #G01-1601. It is in fact chromed plastic, it could have cracked from rough handling when shipped or stored. If the box was damaged in the same area then probably rough handling during shipping, if no box damage then the part was probably bad when assembled.

Just called and they are out of the TD-Z's.  They gave me Diawa's number so I'll call and see if I can get a warrantee repair

I would be interested in what Daiwa® had to say..

Let us know....

Anyone that has purchased one of these reels and they are tight feeling with very little free spool, you will have to re-lube the spool support bearings and shims (palming plate side, spool shaft behind the engagement T, and cast control cap bearings, with one drop of quality reel oil. Those are the only bearings in the reel that influence the free spool, all other bearings are for crank smoothness and IAR.

Tight Lines!!!

Ok, here is the skinny straight from Daiwa's mouth.

The TD-Z's were only discontinued last year, there is an abundance of parts for us service guys, and, Daiwa is honoring the warranties cards for all of the Cabela's sold TD-Z reels.

Tight Lines All!!!

Mini Review Alert:

Uh....got my TD-Z 103P last night, fished with it this morning.  2 words....VERY impressed.  It was a different experience for me as I've never had a very light, low profile reel of this quality.  I had it matched up with my Loomis IMX MBR843.  Very light weight combo, I'm real happy with it.  Casting was superb, very good accuracy, one minor backlash and I hit a dock on that one, hit docks about 3 other times with no backlash, was pitching, flipping, all with no problems.  

And for the "fish on" test.....My buddy was throwing a zoom brush hog, I had on a senko.  A bass hit the hog but missed it, she saw mine cruising about 6 feet to the left and went after mine.  Boom....a healthy 3 pounder.  Things I noticed, the reel was dead silent during the fight.  My buddy noticed that too.  Drag was very smooth although since it was the first fish on it, had it set a bit too low.  Clicked it about 2 times while the fish was on and much better.  Love the micro click on the drag+cast control knob.  

I'm just a bit excited and the best part is I get to keep on using it....sweet. 8-)

Dropped off my damaged 105H at the local Daiwa service center.  They acted like it would be no problem to warrantee the damage and relube it.  We'll see in two weeks.