Question on Tica Caiman reels

[Full_Monte]

I have a couple of these reels and now have experienced three separate episodes where the handle gear becomes disengaged from the line-drum gear.
Of course, this happens while my lure is behind the boat somewhere....
I end up taking the line-drum off the reel to fix it. This is relatively easy, but I don't like the feeling of having my lure out while I have my reel apart. I reassemble it and it works. Why...I don't understand. Has anyone else had this experience? What causes it?

 

[smokin' Kokes]

mechanism is binding and not sliding, needs some light lube.
best on the market ReelX aka CorrosionX

http://store.scottsbt.com/Corrosion-X-Lubes-C474.aspx

see Alan Tani's great site on reel service and repair.
http://alantani.com/

 

[smokin' Kokes]

Tica Caiman 100 schematic

http://schematics.planetseafishing.com/downloads/tica/baitcasting/2X531201E.pdf

probably the clutch cam assembly is dry or gummy.

good time to put a light coat of Cal's reel grease on the drag washers.

 

[MackPrince]

Maybe yours are scared you'll hook into another monster brown like last yearlaugh hyst

 

[Full_Monte]

Ha! Yeah...I can only imagine how exciting it would be to have the line drum in one hand, the pole and reel in the other and a 20 lb. Brown on the end of the line.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going to have to investigate this.