All,

Fish Shimano reels and have from the old "greenie" Curados, older Citicas and Chronarchs. I break mine completely down once a year primarily and clean them. Don't have any problems taking them apart and have replaced drag washers, bearings, etc if needed. My problem is I have a couple that when I put them back together my drag won't tighten down without slipping when setting the hook. Tighten the star down all the way and it will still pull meaning it's hard to fish a worm or jig. I have re-greased with the Shimano drag grease but don't put too much on the washers, just apply and wipe down and reassemble. Pretty sure all the washers are in the right sequence. Any ideas? Thanks.

Are you using braid, by any chance? If you are, and you didn't tape down the knot on the spool, you could have line slippage. This is the most likely, if it's line slippage. Now, if your spool (with no line on it) still turns with the drag tightened all the way down, then that's a hardware issue. Hope this helps.
Steven

Steven, thanks. It's not a braid issue. Does it with mono/flouro.

The washers are supposed to have a small amount of oil on them.

Thanks.

This may be late for this post but may help some fishermen.

Shimano uses a Special Drag Grease on their drag washers. It not only works great but it also makes the drag smoother with no stutter. Cost is around $40.00 for a one pound can.

I use it on all Shimano reels that I service or repair.

RTee

TackleRight Rod & Reel Repair

When that happens to me it is the oval washers being turned the wrong way.

Sounds like too much grease. The drag washers should only have a finger print of grease. Put a drop on your fingers and rub the washers. Oil should not be used on Shimano drag washers. Lay the washers flat on a paper towel to clean then apply the grease.

Thanks to all. I use Shimano drag grease and only have a small amount like you describe on them.