Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: TravHale on August 15, 2013, 05:17:56 AM

Title: Drag material
Post by: TravHale on August 15, 2013, 05:17:56 AM
I bought a couple Lew's Team Pro reels a while back, and have used them for inshore saltwater fishing and bass fishing. Tonight, I took one apart to see how it was holding up to the salt--making sure there was no corrosion going on inside. The reel's specs say it has a "carbon composite" drag system, so while I was in there I decided to take a look at the drag stack. This is what I found... Does anyone know what the red washer is made of? It is some sort of synthetic weave hardened with resin.. is it simply fiberglass? I've never seen this material in a reel before.

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b327/haletravis/null_zpsfd69f3f9.jpg)
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: alantani on August 15, 2013, 07:26:02 AM
I'm gonna guess fiberglass.   Daiwa had one like it.
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: TravHale on August 15, 2013, 01:21:36 PM
Would there be any benefit in replacing those washers with carbontex?
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: Keta on August 15, 2013, 05:29:02 PM
Kracalack, replace it with CF.
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: TravHale on August 15, 2013, 07:02:32 PM
Quote from: Keta on August 15, 2013, 05:29:02 PM
Kracalack, replace it with CF.

Are you saying that you have experience with the material as a drag component?
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: Bucktail on August 15, 2013, 07:58:24 PM
Was that red washer under the main gear?
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: TravHale on August 15, 2013, 08:19:46 PM
Quote from: Bucktail on August 15, 2013, 07:58:24 PM
Was that red washer under the main gear?

Yes.
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: Keta on August 15, 2013, 10:10:52 PM
Quote from: TravHale on August 15, 2013, 07:02:32 PM
Quote from: Keta on August 15, 2013, 05:29:02 PM
Kracalack, replace it with CF.

Are you saying that you have experience with the material as a drag component?

You must not be as old as I am, it was a semi joke.  I'd still replace it with CF.
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: Bucktail on August 15, 2013, 10:55:43 PM
If you're drag is smooth, and you've had no issues with it, I would leave it.  Why change a part just for the sake of changing it?
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: Keta on August 15, 2013, 11:38:00 PM
It will give him slightly more drag.
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: TravHale on August 16, 2013, 01:54:48 PM
The reel is rated at 10lbs max drag, which is all I really need for most of the inshore species of fish along the coast here (e.g., speckled trout, redfish, flounder, etc.). I guess i'll just leave it until the washers begin to wear.
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: alantani on August 16, 2013, 05:41:50 PM
check to see if it is sticky at all.  if so, replace it with greased carbontex.  daiwa had something like this.  it was horrible!
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: TravHale on August 16, 2013, 08:30:03 PM
Quote from: alantani on August 16, 2013, 05:41:50 PM
check to see if it is sticky at all.  if so, replace it with greased carbontex.  daiwa had something like this.  it was horrible!

It was not sticky.
Title: Re: Drag material
Post by: alantani on August 16, 2013, 09:17:57 PM
then you're good to go!