I have one of the old Quantum burnes 7.0 reels. I took it a part, cleaned and re assembled it last week. now, however, when you torque the drag down, it is real hard to reel, as if the spool is binding. I took it apart and could not find any issues! any thoughts?

Have to see what you did. Something wrong in Drag and washer placement.

Does it have a removable AR Bearing or is it pressed into the sideplate. Typically it is setting the bearing which you would do by tightening the drag all the way down, Turning it a time or to and then loosening it back up, Turn it and then tighten back down.

However, I feel you have a washer in the wrong location.

It does have a removable bearing, and I will try setting it. If not, I will take it apart and look at the washers. Thanks for the tips!