Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: Jaime on November 19, 2015, 06:38:53 PM

Title: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: Jaime on November 19, 2015, 06:38:53 PM
Fishing with a friend of mine, and we were trolling.  I checked his drag setting and it was
way too high.  He said, no it always starts that way and after the first 4-5 inches it get's
easier.  I do't own a Shimano and I don't remember the model, so I'll just describe it as best I can.   Shimano, gold, star drag, about Penn 113 size.

I told him that I thought something was wrong and that I didn't think Shimano designed
it like that.  There really isn't any way to set the drag properly.  When the start up drag is
set for the line, after 5 inches you are way too light.  Anybody have any ideas?
I'd like to help him out even though he doesn't think he has a problem.
Jaime
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: johndtuttle on November 19, 2015, 06:57:16 PM
Quote from: Jaime on November 19, 2015, 06:38:53 PM
Fishing with a friend of mine, and we were trolling.  I checked his drag setting and it was
way too high.  He said, no it always starts that way and after the first 4-5 inches it get's
easier.  I do't own a Shimano and I don't remember the model, so I'll just describe it as best I can.   Shimano, gold, star drag, about Penn 113 size.

I told him that I thought something was wrong and that I didn't think Shimano designed
it like that.  There really isn't any way to set the drag properly.  When the start up drag is
set for the line, after 5 inches you are way too light.  Anybody have any ideas?
I'd like to help him out even though he doesn't think he has a problem.
Jaime

Its probably and older Trini with no drag grease. One of the big advantages of grease is smooth start up, especially at higher drag settings.
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on November 19, 2015, 10:53:34 PM
x2
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: foakes on November 19, 2015, 11:54:40 PM
This is not a tough reel to work on, Jaime --

If it were on my bench, I would dissasemble, paying attention to the insides.

John and Chris are right...

If it is hard starting, then eases off at a high drag setting -- the drag discs are likely glazed and toast.

Clean the insides well, grease everything up that needs it, evacuate the bearings and grease them, replace the drag stack if glazed -- with CFs and Cal's drag grease, oil the handle, etc -- and I will be surprised if you do not see an improvement that is better than new.

You should be able to find a schematic on this site.

Good reels -- should have good drag travel -- very smooth from slight application to full lock down.

Post some pics.

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: Jaime on November 20, 2015, 03:52:21 PM
The problem is, I don't have the reel and the guy that owns it is kind of defensive about
his reel knowledge.  He says he greased the drags?  I just thought it might be something
obvious to you Shamino people.  It's really not worth pursuing for me.  Thanks to everybody for the answers.  Jaime
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: alantani on November 20, 2015, 04:54:54 PM
yeah, if it's a trinidad, he can easily upgrade to carbontex.  that's the direction he needs to go in.   :-\
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: johndtuttle on November 20, 2015, 05:00:50 PM
Quote from: alantani on November 20, 2015, 04:54:54 PM
yeah, if it's a trinidad, he can easily upgrade to carbontex.  that's the direction he needs to go in.   :-\

Yea, he could easily have the old defective Dartanium washers that are all shredded in there.
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: handi2 on November 21, 2015, 12:01:46 AM
Quote from: johndtuttle on November 20, 2015, 05:00:50 PM
Quote from: alantani on November 20, 2015, 04:54:54 PM
yeah, if it's a trinidad, he can easily upgrade to carbontex.  that's the direction he needs to go in.   :-\

Yea, he could easily have the old defective Dartanium washers that are all shredded in there.


Like this John..??

Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: Tightlines667 on November 21, 2015, 12:21:21 AM
Whoa!
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: swill88 on November 21, 2015, 12:42:55 AM
What is dartanium? 
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: alantani on November 21, 2015, 01:00:23 AM
hard carbon fiber, no weave, breaks like a tortilla chip.  terrible stuff......   :-\
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: MarkT on November 21, 2015, 01:48:52 AM
The correct spelling is craptanium.
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: humboldtdan on November 23, 2015, 08:21:46 PM
Had a Torium do the same thing.  Stuff seemed to literally melt and goober the insides up.  Why they use that stuff is beyond me.  Changed over to greased CF and made a huge difference.
Title: Re: Shimano drag hard start
Post by: MarkT on November 23, 2015, 09:29:43 PM
Shimano has mostly switched to Dartanium II which is a woven carbon fiber like HT-100 or Carbontex.