[Toddnreel]

Hey guys, I’m thinking of replacing all my Stella drag washers with carbontex. Has anyone done this change before? Is it worth it? And where did you source the washers or carbontex sheet and cut yourself? Thanks

 

[explorer]

Any reason you want I go carbontex ? With the platinum service, I would stay with the original and send it back till they no longer do my 2008 model than maybe I would go carbotex. But hey, that’s just me

 

[Toddnreel]

I was figuring it was an upgrade. I’ve been reading a bit tonight and it appears the 13 Stella’s may have a carbon drag already. Thanks

 

[lite-liner]

smoothdrag.com
Dawn has got everything you need, including Stella.
I replace all my drags with carbontex, EXCEPT Stella, as I've never damaged a factory stella drag. Above statement is correct on the '13 stella.
just got done doing a few stradics, $8 per kit.
Be sure and get a jar of Cal's drag grease to lube them up.
Shimano drag grease is good, too but a little messier to apply.
forgot- is it worth it? Yes. huge improvement over felt and too much grease.
usually will require a little more preload to get the drag #'s you want, but is much better and smoother starting, no more jerky drag!

 

[Toddnreel]

Thanks so much. Great feedback. I’ll send a couple back for Shimano service.

 

[Drundel]

Also to add on the newer Shimano reels, they are carbontex but dry. Personal preference if you prefer greased or dry.

I have two curado DC's, one stock and one I added bearings and greased the drags. Not sure I can tell a difference when fighting a redfish.

 

[lite-liner]

the way i understand it, is that the grease isn't applied to affect drag performance, but to protect drag washers against saltwater intrusion.
I do know once you have salt buildup in CF drags, it's over.
been there, lol.

 

[Toddnreel]

I’m packing up 8 Stellas for service at Shimano. I spoke with them and they will look and service drags if requested. Very helpful and a 2-4 day turnaround. Not an issue this time of year for me in jersey.

 

[lite-liner]

yeah its a great deal, really.
they usually send back discount coupons with your reels, too.

 

[redgarvey]

I'm packing up 8 Stellas for service at Shimano. I spoke with them and they will look and service drags if requested. Very helpful and a 2-4 day turnaround. Not an issue this time of year for me in jersey.

Quite a valuable package

You prefer Shimano Service Centers in Irvine, CA, or Charleston, SC ?

 

[DenisB]

Re....... Cals grease or Ace-2 etc (mixed silicone & teflon based lubes).
A dry drag has the typical friction co-efficient issue where the static drag is higher than the dynamic drag, which gives a higher drag on startup than when a fish is running.
Cals etc reduces the static friction a lot & the dynamic friction a little to where the startup drag is virtually the same as the drag when a fish is running. Much smoother & consistent drag performance.
Max drag locked up is a little less but you won't tell the difference in practice.

I'm still using a jar of "Silky Reel Drag Grease " from the first shipment that Erko got from Cal Sheets
Started using some Ace-2 12 months or so ago in some of my spinning reels.
both perform excellently.

Both will stop water getting directly to the drag washers, but both will emulsify with water & agitation with a drag in use. For some reason ACE-2 seems to emulsify with water a bit faster than Cals.

doesn't matter whose drag grease you are using ,when you get water in the drag it needs a cleanup & re-lube.

FWIW

 

[Toddnreel]

Thanks for the help. Sounds like a plan.

 

[Toddnreel]

Quite a valuable package

You prefer Shimano Service Centers in Irvine, CA, or Charleston, SC ?

When I spoke with Shimano they suggested sending to South Carolina.