I'd carefully remove the two small screws on the silver plate covering the center spindle. Depress the lever and remove the cover. Prop it flat, level with the open spindle facing up, somewhere out of the way, and drop a few drops of penetrating oil on the tip of the spindle. Then give it time for gravity and the oil to do its work. Reapply oil drops every few days. After a week or so, try giving it a turn. If it doesn't turn, replace it on supports and apply more penetrating oil. Repeat as necessary.

 

Thank you, I'll try that. Now about spool, will that be accessible at same time?

 

I suspect grease on the center spindle has thickened over time and the spool is essential locked in place. Once the penetrating ol does its work, you should be able to spin the spool on the spindle, then lift it off. Normally that can be done simply by depressing the small lever and lifting it off.

I should have mentioned, there is a small spring under the cover that makes the tiny lever function. Be very careful when removing it so it doesn't bounce away. I'd work over a light colored towel spread out to keep track of stray parts.

 

Will definitely be cautious taking it apart, thanks again

 

Maybe the leader somehow found its way behind the spool and is wrapped around the spindle.

 

Was thinking that myself, however after peeling about 100 yards off it, which felt like 20-25 pound drag, it dawned on me that no line is stuck. Thanks for input, I appreciate it

 

… or maybe the leader is just jammed between the spool and the frame, preventing rotation (this is a full frame reel).

 

Full frame or not (full in this case) because the circular gap between the back of the spool and backplate might be the culprit here.

 

Hope you get this figured out soon. Nice reel otherwise.

 

I did, thanks, bunch of grease, it's a $2 thrift store find.

 

The spindle on a 509 loosened on me once, and being off axis, caused the spool to rub against the frame under tension with high friction - but noticeable without tension as a wobble. Anything bent (spool or frame) can cause the same friction, as tolerances are very tight on these reels. I’ve also had the leader snag behind spool, caught in the spring/pawl, but it simply stopped rotation entirely.

 

Thank you all for your help, problem solved, couldn't have done it without you.