Lube for Drag Washers

[fishyaf]

Hi ya'll,

I'm replacing the drag washers on my Shimano Stradic 2500.  Part numbers RD 9908 and RD 9911.  Bought them from the Shimano parts website and they look like felt.  Do I lubricate them with Grease, oil or nothing at all?  I have some reel butter grease and oil if either of those will work.  Thanks!

Scott

[philaroman]

felt gets synthetic oil
consider saving the felt for other, smaller models if you have any compatible
2500 is big enough for CF, imo

[mo65]

Some folks say to use grease, but just as many say oil only! I'd have to think oil would be best. Even if the lube didn't help smooth the drag, it would at least help keep the felt from sticking to the metals.

[foakes]

I have always used oil on felt — with good results and performance.

Best, Fred

[fishyaf]

felt gets synthetic oil
consider saving the felt for other, smaller models if you have any compatible
2500 is big enough for CF, imo

CF = carbon fiber?

Why is CF better for larger models?

[fishyaf]

To be honest guys I just put it back together without oil or grease just to see how the drag performs and it is smooth...

[Ruffy]

felt gets synthetic oil
consider saving the felt for other, smaller models if you have any compatible
2500 is big enough for CF, imo

CF = carbon fiber?

Why is CF better for larger models?

Smooth, strong and consistent drag. In 5000 sized models I've had the felt pilling (google "fabric pilling" and you will get an idea), which led to a lumpy and very inconsistent drag that would bind. No such issues with CF.

Talk to Dawn at smoothdrag for all your replacement needs, and welcome to the rabbit hole of upgrading fishing reels 

Cheers,
Andrew

[philaroman]

long runs / high settings -- FELT WILL MELT (dry felt will melt SOONER/FASTER!)
CF gives you MUCH better durability & higher max -- HUGE for big-game;
not so important for tiny reels used at lowest drag settings -- OILED Shimano felt will last many years
older Stradic 2500 has comparatively huge 4000-size 6-stack w/ L/ML line capacity -- how do you use it?
if you baby it w/ 6# mono finesse, OILED felt may still be fine when reel dies of Shimano Non-Support 
if you commonly stress-test the reel w/ 20-30# braid, you DEFINITELY want CF!!!
if  the new, paid-for felt can be passed down to smaller/lighter reels -- more reason to get CF for the 2500

[Ruffy]

long runs / high settings -- FELT WILL MELT (dry felt will melt SOONER/FASTER!)
CF gives you MUCH better durability & higher max -- HUGE for big-game;
not so important for tiny reels used at lowest drag settings -- OILED Shimano felt will last many years
older Stradic 2500 has comparatively huge 4000-size 6-stack w/ L/ML line capacity -- how do you use it?
if you baby it w/ 6# mono finesse, OILED felt may still be fine when reel dies of Shimano Non-Support 
if you commonly stress-test the reel w/ 20-30# braid, you DEFINITELY want CF!!!
if  the new, paid-for felt can be passed down to smaller/lighter reels -- more reason to get CF for the 2500

Maybe my felt did not pill, but melted. I wish I'd gotten a photo, was a complete mess!

Andrew

[Porthos]

Looks like $7.50-$8.00 for a Smooth Drag Carbontex replacement set depending on the flavor of Stradic 2500. Suggest considering the upgrade for your next maintenance.