New Curado I Bearings/excess Grease

[iceintheveins]

I've heard that with the new Curados, the spool bearings are packed with grease when you get them. Should I just clean the bearings and the area around them and then re oil them? Is that all that probably needs done? I'll be getting one in a few days.

[Preytorien]

I haven't touched mine and I can tell you, out of the box this thing casts better than my old G did with ceramics in it. Someday if they start acting up I'll drop them in the ultrasonic cleaner, otherwise I'll just wait until something happens to open this thing up. 

[smalljaw67]

The reason these and other reels are loaded with grease is because a lot of guys don't do maintenance on the reels after they buy them. Read reel reviews long enough and you'll spot these people, they will say, "This reel was great when I got it but after 1 season it started acting up and making noise" , that is a reel that had normal lubrication and the person who got it used it pretty hard and never cleaned or lubed it up. I know a guy that has Shimano Calais and the old Chronarchs and he has had them for years and when I asked him who cleaned his  reels, his answer shocked me, he told me they were never cleaned or lubed and yet they made no noise and were still smooth and he goes out 2 to 3 times a week, and that is the reason why there is so much grease from the factory.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Flushing the stock bearings should always be the first step in improving performance followed by a deep cleaning, Super Tuning in design appropriate (solid spool shaft) models, Carbontex Drag, ABEC5 ceramic hybrid bearings, handles, trim etc. on a cost/benefit basis. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I haven't touched mine and I can tell you, out of the box this thing casts better than my old G did with ceramics in it. Someday if they start acting up I'll drop them in the ultrasonic cleaner, otherwise I'll just wait until something happens to open this thing up. 

Ceramic bearings are not the magic made out by some people, but my guess with the G is that you have Orange Seal bearings and/or oiled. Remove the seals with a needle and flush them. Reinstall dry and you'll see a big difference. The smallest possible drop of the lightest oil will quiet them if you're in the camp that thinks they are distractingly loud. 

[Preytorien]

Ceramic bearings are not the magic made out by some people, but my guess with the G is that you have Orange Seal bearings and/or oiled. Remove the seals with a needle and flush them. Reinstall dry and you'll see a big difference. The smallest possible drop of the lightest oil will quiet them if you're in the camp that thinks they are distractingly loud. 

 

I don't have the reel any more. But I did juuuuuuust lightly oil the bearings with a specific bearing oil we use on hub bearings for bicycle hubs, called Boeshield T9. Very very thin oil. It was just to quiet them because yes, they drove me nuts until I did. I like a dead silent reel. They were Hawgtechs. 

 

The new Curado won't be getting ceramics

[Master Bait'r]

If you're concerned at all, you may simply feel better doing it and sometimes that's all that really matters.  I never heard of anybody regretting doing a good flush and re-lube with some really nice oil.  That said, I highly doubt it's needed to throw baits out of the box if that's what you're worried about.  I'd fish it and then do the flush, just to actually feel the difference in my hard work.         

[Lacustrine]

What is the best video to explain how to flush a reel?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You're not flushing the whole reel, just the bearings. A complete deep cleaning is <$20 for members here. What kind of reel are we talking about?

[Lacustrine]

Curado 200 I. I just received it today. I don't need to have it done now, but just wanted to know how to do it for future reference.

 

You're not flushing the whole reel, just the bearings. A complete deep cleaning is <$20 for members here. What kind of reel are we talking about?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Curado is easy. Remove the cast control cap and pull the bearing with a bent bobby pin. Open the opposite side case and you'll see the other bearing. Remove the locking clip being careful it doesn't go flying and pull that bearing. Soak in a small jar of acetone (brake cleaner, carb cleaner etc.) for 5-10 minutes. Swish ad remove. Repeat until solvent remains clear. Lay on a paper towel to dry. They should spin freely and quietly on a pencil point etc. Add one small drop of the Bantam oil that came with the reel and reinstall. 

[Lacustrine]

Thats pretty simple. Thanks!