Curado Bantam 200cu Help Needed

[rosshilk]

I have recently gotten into breaking down and super tuning my fishing reels. I have had some wonderful success with other reels, but the Curado Bantam 200cu I have recently purchased is another story. This is the first reel that I have done with bearing replacement and carbontex drag washers. I know that the ceramic bearings I purchased will be louder then the stock, but they are really loud in this reel.

 

I made this purchase due to a desire to work on something older and to replace several different parts for the first time as well as sanding and polishing all friction points. This reel does not free spool well even whilst completely loose and sounds awful on the cast. I do not understand why it is not a beast. I read so many posts claiming that these reels are some of the best reels ever made. I anticipated much better performance all the work I have done. I did not over lubricate as far as I know. I used Cals grease very lightly on the gears and ts321 oil on the bearings in the form of one drop from a needle bottle tip. I am at a loss on why I have terrible results.

 

Any feedback by someone who works on reels in their free time or by any reel techs would be phenomenal. I just don't know how to boost the performance or what is inhibiting the results I want.

Thank you 

Tight Lines

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Something isn't assembled correctly. Can't say what without seeing it 

[rosshilk]

16 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Something isn't assembled correctly. Can't say what without seeing it 

If I sent it your way would the service be $22? Also thanks for the response I have already even discussed with my wife that I've considered sending it your way. I wanted to just take a shot with a post before spending more on the reel. I can see that it would be an impossible to really assess the issue without really opening the reel up. 

[Bass Turd]

Check for thumb bar sag. The gears may not be disengaging fully on the cast.

 

http://www.calfishing.com/freshwater/shimano_curado_maintenance_guide/Thumbar_Fix.html

 

Also check for sufficient grease on the spool ends. If they are dry the spool will chatter and squeal like a stuck pig.

[rosshilk]

7 minutes ago, Bass Turd said:

Check for thumb bar sag. The gears may not be disengaging fully on the cast.

 

http://www.calfishing.com/freshwater/shimano_curado_maintenance_guide/Thumbar_Fix.html

 

Also check for sufficient grease on the spool ends. If they are dry the spool will chatter and squeal like a stuck pig.

Thank you for taking the time to assist me! I will give those a shot.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Don't put grease anywhere near your spool. Lightly oil the tension spacers. 

5 hours ago, rosshilk said:

If I sent it your way would the service be $22? Also thanks for the response I have already even discussed with my wife that I've considered sending it your way. I wanted to just take a shot with a post before spending more on the reel. I can see that it would be an impossible to really assess the issue without really opening the reel up. 

Provide your screen name and I extend a 10% discount for members here. If the reel is clean and I find something simple I'll correct it and pro rate the labor. 

[rosshilk]

Thanks everyone for the for the responses. I resolved the issue tonight at the expense of a new bearing. I did a full tear down to see if I might have made an assembly error. I discovered the bearing in the side plate to be completely stuck. I bent picks trying to get that sucker out. I did succeed and there was some hardened grim that made the fit too tight. I resolved the issue, but the bearing does not spin as it use to after getting forced out of such a tight jam. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The OP says you upgraded the bearings. Is this a new one? 

[rosshilk]

6 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The OP says you upgraded the bearings. Is this a new one? 

Yes it is a new one. It is a Boca Bearing, and it does not rotate near as well as the one that was not lodge too tightly now. It almost seems off balanced currently. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Theres no way that housing could deform a bearing. Either you got a dud (happens) or something else is at play