Replaced bearings, spool tensioner now off

I've got 2 OLD Citica's and 1 OLD green curado (1990's ish, CU200 and CI200's I believe). Still great reels for what I do. A couple of years ago I replaced the bearings and/or bushings with new ceramic bearings. No problems from a bearing standpoint since then. However, it seems I've lost all the 'tensioning' in my spool tensioner knob. I can crank it down and it doesn't seem to make a lick of difference with, let's say, a 3/8 oz spinnerbait with trailer. I had the Curado out last weekend throwing a shallow running crankbait on it. The line kept over-running on the cast and would get tangled and stop the cast. Not bad, wasn't a backlash per se but it did it consistently (braided line). Any ideas what my options to fix are? I did reinsert the spring inside the tensioner knob in case you are wondering.

Several of my baitcasters have a little floating shim in the bottom of the tensioner cap. Easy to lose. My 50-year-old Ambassadeur didn't have one and a reel repairman cut some brass stock into a small disc and put it in to mash on the end of the spool shaft. You could look to see if your cap has one. Might fix your problem. IslandJim

Sounds like your shim is worn or gone

Probably need another spool tension spacer. Typical Shimano part number will be BNT****, e.g. BNT 2224. If you go to the Shimano fishing site you can look up your reels and get the exact BNT number for the spacer.

Thanks gentlemen,

I took the spool tensioner cap off all 3 this morning and there is nothing inside. All I have is the plastic cap that appears to have a small plastic circle molded into it with a copper colored center. Anyone know what spacers are needed? I believe the Bantam Curado CU200 and the Bantam Citica are the same with the exception of bearings maybe? If so, I see those as BNT 802 and 803 but they are no longer available. @Techfisher, are u saying the BNT2224 will work and do I need 2? Thanks folks. I'm making due now but would like to get them all back up to where they need to be soon. Thanks again

Both reels should use the same spacer…looking up both they show the BNT2224 as the fiber spacer…some of the older ones had a copper colored square in the cap and that was your spacer but being that it is not available I’d go with BNT2224

gt I'd go with the 2224 spacers. They are fiber and should work fine...and they are cheap so get extra's...they will get lost...:) I know....:)

Thanks everyone. I will get them ordered plus extras!

Ok, might be seen as a stupid question but do not just press these down into the spool cap itself?

Not real sure what your asking but they are just inserted into the spool cap

Well, to start with, these, not theses! Sorry bout that.

Steve, yes, u answered the question. I got 2 of them in, the other is blending in with the garage floor at the moment. Ready to take the reels back out and test them out this weekend hopefully. Thanks again for everyones input.

No worries…I’m sure everything will be fine