Fishing - STH Airweight reel question

I haven't been able to get a response from STH on this question.

I just bought an STH Airweight lever drag reel. It did not come with
any documentation. I wanted to switch it to left-hand retrieve, so I
pulled off the spool and flipped over the metal washer-like thing that
fits on the spindle. It's the only thing on the reel besides the spool
that is removable without the use of tools.

Now, the reel does not free-spool in either direction. The drag is
effective when turning the handle either way, regardless of whether I
have it on LH or RH retrieve. It seems that the metal washer-like
thing is not seating down low enough around the spindle to allow the
spool to click freely in one direction only. The spring pawl that is
supposed to engage the teeth on the outer rim of the washer-like thing
barely contacts them at all.

Other than buying this POS reel at a deep discount, does anyone know
what I am doing wrong?

Thanks!
Pat