Do washers on reels eventually wear out and do they leave shavings or debris from constantly running against each other?

I don't know about washers, but gears definitely can- and do. If you are fortunate enough to own a really good quality reel, hopefully this wouldn't happen in your lifetime. I think that it is an eventuality though. Everything has a limit.

Reading between the lines, I am assuming you are referring to the metal washers, rather than the non-metal drag washers.

 

The spring washers are prone to being flattened out due to many leaving their drags tight when storing the reel. Simple to back off the drag and avoid the pressure.

 

In all my years, I have never seen a metal washer need replacing due to wear. Key washers are sometimes damaged by the roller clutch inner tube scarring the flat surface, but not to the detriment of the reel.

If you mean drag PADS ( not washers ) yes they can wear out, specially in older reels that made use of compressed cardboard, felt, asbestos or cork pads, as for I what I´v e heard but have never experienced it Dartanium drag pads do break down.

I though some people used carbon washers and replacement washers from custom manufacturers too?

I though some people used carbon washers and replacement washers from custom manufacturers too?

 

Could be, they are incompressible, last a long time and are very smooth operating, to some older reels reel they are a real improvement over the stock drag, for ex., in the TDZ the difference in operation is phenomenal, in the TD Zillion IMHO it´s a real waste of money and time, the reel has an excellent stock drag, in the original Pixy changing the stock cork pads for Carbontex changes a lot.