Zillion HLC drag slipping

[bassmaster_flex]

The drag slips during hook sets and while fighting the fish. It has a Carbontex set and swapped to 8.1 gears. It’s smooth but lost a couple fish because it slipped on the hook set. Any ideas on how I can fix/improve the drag? It was cleaned/lubed when the Carbontex and new gears were installed. I run 50lb braid with mono backing. Much appreciated folks!

[Drakestar]

Is it clamped all the way down and not supposed to slip? My drags slip all the time on hook set and while fighting fish because well, that’s how it’s set to protect the line from snapping.

If it *is* supposed to be clamped all the way down, the statement “it was cleaned and lubed” makes me wonder. The drag shouldn’t be greased or oiled AFAIK. I only ever do the gears, bearings and bushings.

[bassmaster_flex]

Correct. It’s clamped all the way down and slips. I can understand some slippage but it’s quite noticeable. I should specify, cleaned/lubed is the yearly cleaning I send it in for. Definitely not the workmanship cause my reel guy is awesome!

[LowRange]

If you've been running it on a locked down drag all this time then it might be time for new spring washers. They flatten over time.

[DenhamBruce]

Is there any grease on the drag? If so theres your problem.

[Drakestar]

Something else to consider (if you trust your reel guy) is how the line is connected to the spool. Straight braid (without mono backing or a layer of electrical tape) will slip on the spool, especially in colder weather. That can feel like a slipping drag but it’s the entirety of the braid that’s actually slipping on the spool.

Edit: Never mind, the original posts says “with mono backing”. Then it might really be grease on the washers or the drag not being as clamped down as it could be. (I just got a new 22 Zillion HD - 13lbs drag like the HLC - and had to *really* tighten the drag star before it stopped slipping on frog hooksets.)

[Drakestar]

I just saw an article on how you should actually lightly grease your carbontex washers, btw. Now I’m firmly in the “what the hell do I know, don’t listen to me!” camp

[SSS]

Try to run it dry.

[hoohoorjoo]

Everybody makes mistakes. I've serviced literally thousands of reels, but I've also accidentally put the drag spring washers back like this: ((
instead of like this: ()
This will cause exactly what you're describing.

[BARRAMANIAC]

I just saw an article on how you should actually lightly grease your carbontex washers, btw. Now I’m firmly in the “what the hell do I know, don’t listen to me!” camp

I service reels and have done countless carbontex conversions and grease every single carbontex washer and have not had this issue. Sounds like incorrect assembly of a part somewhere or the line slipping on the spool. Greasing carbontex will give you a smoother more consistent drag. Dry carbontex can still produce a jerky drag on occasions and will accelerate wear on the metal drag components especially if the metal is a alluminium alloy.

[godshippy]

On HOT days I have to tighten down my drag throughout the day because the grease on my drag washers will loosen up a bit.