Thanks very much for all your replies, I've just stripped the washers out of the spool to see what was involved, taking out and replacing the washers was easy, but I didn't know the cap had to be modified to make it a quick drag, I'm capable of most manual work and happy to do it, do you think it would be more cost effective to send them to say Weston developments or....

In reply to Post #16
What reels are they. They can all be done at home, some easier than others.

Edit...
I have just read back and see you have 5000t, i did my old emblem x spool caps, same sort of job.

In reply to Post #17
is it that the spring in the cap has to be removed or is there more to it?

In reply to Post #18
When i remove the spring i replace it with a tube packer the same length as the spring, i believe others have packed it out with washers

In reply to Post #19
ah, thanks, I have been trying to remove the circlip that holds the spring in place, apart from not knowing what to do and getting cramp in my hands I think I will give it a rest for now, thanks to everyone with your helpful advice

In reply to Post #20
You have to split the cap, if you look at it you will see 10 plastic lugs you have to take the top off these then the cap will come apart.
I used to use a drill bit but be carfeful not to go too deep, the last time i did it i used a soldering iron to melt the top of the lugs.
Remove spring and replace with spacer then araldite the cap back together

In reply to Post #21
Thanks Dave, thats where I was going wrong, thought the circlip came out then the spring

In reply to Post #22
Once you open the cap you can either remove the spring or leave it in. I left mine in and used a cut down piece of plastic (similar to a raw plug) inserted into the centre of the spring to stop it compressing.

In reply to Post #21
Exactly this.

I had read about using a soldering iron but was unsure.
I used a drill bit, a bit smaller than the hole. You only need to go in about 2mm, so dont go mad...
You can use the spring as a size guide for the spacer that you need to use. It doesnt matter if its slightly smaller, it'll just be like the sping is more compressed.
I improvised a spacer but you can get nylon spacers (bushes) off ebay for pennies.
You can dry fit and test it as the two parts of the spool cap can push fit together and will grip enough to screw the drag knob back on and test the drag.
A small dab of araldite rapid, then click the two parts back together.

These are the sort of things you can use as a spacer.
This isnt the right size, i have just chosen one so i can copy the link, you will need to measure and choose what size you need.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323327974017

Using the advice below I attacked the cap, I used a small wood chisel to remove the top of the lugs (hence the scratches) i scored a line across the joint so it could go back in the same place, I made the spacer to replace the spring then a set of acrylic washers, these were a tad too thick which meant the spring wouldn't go in, made another set job done, have glued the cap together after a dry run and will take the cramp off in the morning, that will be number 1 done, 2 to go, I could not have done this without all of your help and advice thanks again, below are some photos that may help someone in the future.

In reply to Post #25
Well done, im glad you did some pictures to help show the method.

I have just done a qd upgrade on my daiwa emblems.
A video and a few pictures to help guide anyone who wants to have a go.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02WoCA7EaRZq6yixeuqU8YTRYJKz98ssP7bCbHVMUsGMZdsDDuPt5zhSXE2ZRcJcCal&id=100063500165330&sfnsn=scwspmo

In reply to Post #1
Do the carbon washers wear out, had them in my tournies for several years and dont think they are as smooth as they once were

In reply to Post #28
Add a few of drops of 3 in 1 to each washer.

In reply to Post #29
Cheers will try.