Spinning reel drag issue...Help?!

[JimmyAndrew]

I have a Mitchell 300xe reel that I've owned for a couple months now and it has been a really good reel. Yesterday I removed the tension knob to pull the spool off to check compatibility with a spare spool I had. After checking that out I replaced the original spool and screwed the tension knob back on and somewhere something went wrong. I can now easily pull line from the reel with the drag tension tightened all the way. This was not a problem before I did the simple dis-assembly and I'm not sure what could have gone wrong. The assembly for this reel is really basic and I did not lose any parts out of it or anything. Anyone have any ideas as to what I am doing wrong or what could have happened?

[marine4003]

Not to be an ass, but a $40 reel is just that, a $40 reel. truth is, most companys have there gear built in china or japan, and quality control is lacking at best. do yourself a favor and buy at least a Penn Battle , its inexpensive,and well built. Inexpensive rods/reels just arent worth the trouble to fix, In many cases its more than the gear is worth. Good Luck mate.

[Fishman]

I have a Daiwa reel that I encountered a problem similar to yours. When having the reel respooled and replacing the spool back on the spindle the spool would spin freely what we later figured out was that there was a small spacer that goes on the spindle between the spool and spindle shaft backing plate. This spacer might be what is missing on your reel. Check around where you dismantled the reel and see if it might be there.