So I was playing with my Prolite Special a few hours ago of a rod and noticed something unusual, to me atleast.

When the drag is completely off, or anywhere other than locked down for that matter, it take more pressure to turn the handle. If I try to get the handle to just spin it wont more than 1 or 2 turns.

BUT, if I have the drag COMPLETELY locked down, the handle can free spin for like 10 seconds.

I cleaned and lubed it about a week ago and haven't touched it since until today. So i though maybe something was missing so I opened it up. Everything is there, nothing's missing.

I think I may have put grease somewhere where it shouldn't be. But i'm not a reel expert. Can anyone give me an explanation?

Thanks a bunch!

i think i know what your talking about,, im tired , and half read your post, so forgive me if im not helpful,, i tried my hand at reel repair, so i hope i can help,, i believe in usuing no grease anywhere, if you service it yourself, use rem oil on gears, and clean often, as you have to without grease, and if you soak rem oil in the base where the axle turns, that (sorry dont know names, just know by sight)it should break down grease, or better yet, use lighter fluid on base, and it will definatly makes handle spin better, but rem oil is probaly enough,, and it pobaly isnt a issue, so its up to you, and im sure there will be people that will dis agree with me,, but hey,, i ve done it , it gets better perfomance to me when all grease is gone from everywhere. but i felt like my reels needed service within a month, and i only fished a couple hours a day so,, depends on how much free time you have, as i was unemployed when trying to get into reel repair, ,,now the last thing i want to do after work, is tinker with a baitcaster,, hope i helped

Hmmm, I dont know if that would solve the problem. It spins nicely when the drag is locked, just not when the drag is set to anything but locked.

how does the handle spin with the spool disengaged? (button pushed)

you say "drag is locked". are you saying you crank the drag star down to max or just to the point where theres enough pressure to make the drive shaft turn the gear?

The handle turns the same when the spool is disengaged, even with the spool out.

And by locked down I mean till the drag star stops turning lol

I had the clutch bar upside down

Disregard folks

The handle turns the same when the spool is disengaged, even with the spool out.

And by locked down I mean till the drag star stops turning lol

id take sideplate off the handle side then re-assemble the drive shaft on the frame and see what does what.

no idea what a clutch bar is but i believe you.

no idea what a clutch bar is but i believe you.

The (usually) plastic piece that holds the pinion gear in place and pops up and down when you press the thumb bar so the pinion gear can engage and disengage the spool.

Call Wayne Knabe and tell him that Sam asked you to call him.

Wayne is a professional rod and ***.

It is worth the gasoline and time investment to take all of your reels to Wayne once a year for service.

Wayne is in Powhatan County.

804.239.6751 - leave message if he does not answer.

...professional rod and reel expert.

Don't know what I typed to have the checker knock it out.

The part you refer to as the "clutch bar" is the yoke. Glad you got it figured out.

This diagram will help. :lol:

Hey it's early and I got breakfast on my mind. You are quick on the draw, I gotta give you that! lol

The (usually) plastic piece that holds the pinion gear in place and pops up and down when you press the thumb bar so the pinion gear can engage and disengage the spool.

im glad you figured it out without giving up.

The part you refer to as the "clutch bar" is the yoke. Glad you got it figured out.

The crappy schematics called it a clutch bar in the parts list