Took reel apart for maintenance, now drag isn't working

[C5Longhorn]

I took apart my Curado DC for the first deep cleaning and have a question on reel grease.

 

Can I use Shimano drag grease as a multipurpose grease for gears and other parts that get a light greasing?

 

My only other options available this moment would be Lucas general purpose automotive chassis grease or Hot Sauce reel grease.

 

UPDATE:. Reel is back together but now have a drag issue.  I think I my have over greased the drag washers.

 

Thanks,

 

Rick

[bulldog1935]

Hot Sauce is not a good choice for multiplying reel gears, because of its low viscosity. 

You would do better with a higher viscosity grease made for gears - drag grease may be too high viscosity for gears.  My gear-grease choice probably won't help you, MTCW-SW. 

You should be able to search the topic, or ask @Delaware Valley Tackle

 

Where Hot Sauce is good is fly reel drag gears, because it never waxes or stiffens. 

[JustJames]

I use Shimano drag grease for gear all the time with no problem. 

[FishTank]

Shimano drag grease will be fine.  The key is a light coating. 

[C5Longhorn]

Thanks all, appreciate the replies.  I got the reel back together with no parts left over, but did something wrong because my drag isn't holding like it should.  I suspect I either over greased the drag washers or messed up by greasing the metal collar for the anti- reverse.

[FishTank]

2 hours ago, C5Longhorn said:

Thanks all, appreciate the replies.  I got the reel back together with no parts left over, but did something wrong because my drag isn't holding like it should.  I suspect I either over greased the drag washers or messed up by greasing the metal collar for the anti- reverse.

 

Check the curved drag spring washers (BNT5376).  They should look like this () and not like (( or )).  That is usually the culprit. 

Go to 7:45....

 

 

[C5Longhorn]

4 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

Check the curved drag spring washers (BNT5376).  They should look like this () and not like (( or )).  That is usually the culprit. 

Go to 7:45....

 

 

Thanks, I thought I Puth them back on correctly, but will take it down again and double check.  I have backing, so I can rule out line slip.

[MickD]

Just because you have backing doesn't prove that the line isn't slipping on the spool.  Look carefully to observe the spool rotating during the malfunction.  Just to be sure.

[garroyo130]

Sounds like A/R bearing since you mentioned you greased the collar. Slap the handle backwards repeatedly if it slips its an over/unproperly greased A/R bearing. A/R will not gradually slip, it will be gone entirely when it slips. 

Clean the A/R bearing with some decent rubbing alcohol and hopefully it will fix the issue. I'm not saying its the right way, but I never intentionally grease A/R bearings. I simply wipe my hands dry as clean as I can and let whatever shininess remains provide lubrication for the A/R components. 

 

I may be wrong about this, but I dont believe its possible to overgrease a carbon washer. It may initially be overgreased but the moment you screw the drag down, any excess will just come out the sides and should not re-enter the drag stack.

[C5Longhorn]

Thank you for the response.  I think you are correct, with the AR bearing.  I'm going to take apart and try again.

[ATA]

seven years ago I had sand get into my Revo spinning reel, I take some part out and try to clean and put it back together, But no, I end up putting everything in a bag and sent to Abu ?.

Since that day I learned my lesson, Just sending reels back to them to do what they are good at and ill not try to play techie.

[C5Longhorn]

My backup plan is that it goes to DVT if I can't sort it out.  I do really suspect the AR bearing since I greased up the collar good.

[ike8120]

I use Cals drag grease and don't over grease.

[JustJames]

I think these are pretty much 3 distinctive thing to tell them apart.

—-If you pull line out while drag lock down—-

drag slip, line start coming out while spool stationary (not moving)

No drag pressure, line coming out while spool spin according to the line being pulled.

AR clutch malfunction, line will come out just like free spool but with a short burst.

 

I’m not expert and never fix reel just service my own reel once awhile. I do agree with the drag washer not in the right order or too much grease. Btw those three are pretty easy fix once you know what is the source of problem. 

[C5Longhorn]

Thanks all, I haven't broken down yet, but lean towards AR bearing.  When I tighten down, I do get some resistance, it's just greatly diminished when I compare to another Curado DC I have.

[MickD]

I have never seen the need to take the drag of a casting reel apart.  The one reel I submerged for a few days was sent to an expert for service.

 

I'm surprised  to hear that lubricant can affect the AR bearing that way.  In auto transmissions the same type bearings operate submerged in trans oil.  What am I missing?

[garroyo130]

Not sure its the same. Only transmissions ive cracked open (C4, T5) do not have anything even mildly resembling an A/R bearing.

[bulldog1935]

Drag washers don't need excess grease, but only the thinnest residual you can leave on them after you remove the rest. 

The most important places to grease are the I.D. and O.D. edges. 

After this gets stacked, I apply main gear grease using a sable brush. 

 

A/R bearings are sensitive to viscosity.  Light oil can mess them up. and cause them to lock or slip. 

[MickD]

20 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Only transmissions ive cracked open

The old Hydramatic transmissions had many roller clutches, one way clutches, that worked in trans fluid.  I'm pretty old, so my examples are pretty old.

[king fisher]

I am the worlds worst at taking something that is working, then trying to do some preventive maintenance on it, and making it not work.  Only then do I remember my Uncles advice, if it aint broke don't fix it.

[throttleplate]

Take pictures, step by step, make note of oil and grease on parts. Parts breakdown sheet that comes with reels are really hard to follow when small parts go into the case or slide into other parts.

Can be confusing as a rubics cube.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Bantam grease is a good all around grease for reels. I’d throw the hot sauce away. Regarding the AR, thoroughly clean it and oil with a swab of light oil. 

[Deleted account]

Patient: Doctor, my reels stop working right after I disassemble them.

Doctor: Don't disassemble them.

[newapti5]

On 12/19/2021 at 6:09 PM, bulldog1935 said:

Drag washers don't need excess grease, but only the thinnest residual you can leave on them after you remove the rest.

 

Yep, I think this is the most reason people feel the drag force diminish after deep cleaning. You only need a tiny bit of grease on carbon drag washer, just barely enough to leave your finger print on it. Sometime I would leave them dry if I aim for higher max drag. 

[CrankFate]

I saw Lucas oil mentioned. Don’t use it. It holds sand and debris better than anything and liquifies in hot weather. I’ve tried it and would never recommend it. I use a light coat of Cals on everything except the plastic gears, which I prefer dry. Oil for the bearings and levelwind only. If you have a problem, just send it out.