So my new SLX XT combo came in today, thanks to everyone who helped me pick out my first combo. So when i first opened the reel, i fumbled it and dropped it and its a bit scratched up lol, but besides that will it be fine? Like will anything inside be misaligned etc. Also where is the lube ports and how many are there? How often should i clean it and how should i clean it/ how many drops of oil do i put? 1-2?

It's probably fine.  Give it a test.  They're not super delicate devices.  They're made to take some abuse.  

 

Usually, with modern reels, all you have to oil is the worm gear between cleanings.  I usually just put a few drops on the worm gear, about once a month.    

 

As far a cleaning and relubing the insides, I typically do that once a year, or anytime the reel gets dunked under water or I notice a decrease in performance.  Some people do it more often, and others do it less often.  If you do that, you typically don't have to worry about adding oil or grease in between cleanings, except for the worm gear because it is exposed to the elements.  

 

But everyone has their own cleaning and lubing routines, and much of it depends on how much you use them, the conditions under which you use them, and whether or not you can do it yourself.  

My buddy did the same thing with the same reel. Took it out of the box to show me, juggled it somehow, then splat. Right on the pavement. Nothing bent, and it's been fine otherwise.

Couldn't tell you how many reels I've dropped or accidentally stepped on, it'll be fine. 

 

I clean and lube all my reels when the fish quit biting, January usually. 

@Bankc What’s the worm gear? i’m still fairly new lol, but is it that little hole on the bottom of the reel where the brakes are? And is that the lube port?

13 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

My buddy did the same thing with the same reel. Took it out of the box to show me, juggled it somehow, then splat. Right on the pavement. Nothing bent, and it's been fine otherwise.

lmao same, i showed my dad and then somehow it ended up on the floor