Johnson Century Drag Adjustment

I was going through some of my fishing equipment the other night and ran across a couple of Johnson Century push-button reels that I bought to use when I take kids fishing. I remember I stored them away because I could not adjust the drag on these reels enough to keep them from slipping on the slightest of pull. I know of other guys who are having the same problem. So, I took them apart and after looking at how they are put together, it seemed to me there was too much play on the rod which connects the ajustment screw to the plastic drag mechanism. I tried an "e-ring" to take out some of the play on the rod, and it worked. Then, I took the other one apart and did the sam thing, and it worked.

This morning I got on the web and found some discussion on this subject and here is what one guy suggested, but I am not yet sure what he means but I will try it to see if it works. Here is what he said to do..."turn adjustment pointer to highest number, lift the pointer and ring, and it should move backwards towards the lowest number without moving the drag setting. Do this as many times as necessary to adjust the drag setting." I will try this tonight but I am not sure if the pointer can be lifted.

This problem has been a puzzle to me because the adjustment should have not been so complicated. The problem I had was trying to find a way to take off the adjustment pointer on top of the reel. It has a screw, but it is locked in and it is threaded into the top of the reel casing...so I have no idea how that works. I have a feeling there are a lot of Johnson reels laying around that are not being used because of the drag adjustment. All I know is when I added the "e-ring" to take some slack on the ajustment rod, the drag work. If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate them.

I have done it just as you were told,The drag adjustment,a black knob, turn to highest number, most drag, take the knob off and put it back on lowest setting then tighen again.
Rowdy

Thanks, Rowdy. I didn't get to play with the reel last night so that is good news. The adjustment procedure may be in the operations manual, but I would have to dig it out. I have a feeling there are a few guys out there that didn't know this as well. Hope it helps. This reel is a good crappie reel or a reel that kids can use if they have not done much fishing. Thanks again.

One last comment on the drag adjustment on the Johnson Century. To adjust the drag, turn the drag adjustment knob to the highest number, then lift the black plate under it with the numbers on it, and then turn the drag adjustment knob back to the lowest setting...this should do it. If the drag is still to loose, do the same thing one more time until the drag meets your satisfaction. I will take the "e-rings" I put in the reel back out and adjust as recommended above. I tried to find my operations sheet on this reel but could not find it, if I ever had one. If I got directions on this reel, I did not read them which as they always say...read the directions first. Thanks for everyone's help.

Just want to add a note to this problem. The screw in the center of the drag knob has a spring under it allowing it to be lifted out and then when you let go it will go back if you have it line up with the heads of the screw properly. Same thing with the old Johnson Citation