....on a BRAND NEW reel that hasn't even been spooled yet? No way I'd send it off for warranty repair.
I agree with this. No way would I buy something brand new and send it out for warranty work and I wouldn't even go as far to even try and grease it either, should preform like brand new from the box, not after you mess with it for a while. I'd go back to the store and swap it out for a Abu Garcia.