Hey, so i need someones help. I just ordered a new shimano curado and right when i opened it up and reeled it, it felt very stiff. If i were to spin it as hard as i could it would probably only get 5 turns. I was wondering what i could do to get it to operate right. I lubed the breaks a little and that sort of a helped and loosened it up but it definitely wasnt the problem. Someone please let me know...

If you disengage spool, does that spin freely? 

 

The handle spinning doesn't mean much ...

Do you mean does the handle spin freely? It does. 

No, if you press the thumb bar as if to cast and then spin the spool, does that spin freely?

 

Unless i read it wrong, it sounds like youre slapping the reel handle and only getting it to turn 5 times, right?

Check spool tension, loosen it until you got a little side to side play on spool.

The last Shimano I bought needed a drop of oil on the spool bearings. Made a big difference in casting.

13 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

The last Shimano I bought needed a drop of oil on the spool bearings. Made a big difference in casting.

Ya - don't assume that the reel comes 'perfectly' lubed. I've gotten new-in-box Pfluegers that were packed with grease and needed to be cleaned out. Others have reported that their new-in-box reels came dry - no grease or oil at all.

33 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

No, if you press the thumb bar as if to cast and then spin the spool, does that spin freely?

 

Unless i read it wrong, it sounds like youre slapping the reel handle and only getting it to turn 5 times, right?

You read it right. And yes the spool spins freely.

29 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

The last Shimano I bought needed a drop of oil on the spool bearings. Made a big difference in casting.

Thank you, may do the job!

Just now, Kaden said:

You read it right. And yes the spool spins freely.

 

Ii wouldn't worry about it. From what I've noticed, Shimano's ACE2 grease is fairly thick and makes reels act like you're describing. It should cast and work fine. If you want to clean it though, it can't hurt.

Stop watching You Tube videos. LOL

The issue is the gear grease and colder temps. 

Tom

My two Curado 70 MGL's were stiff out of the box too. They had quite a bit of grease in the bearings. I cleaned it out, oiled them, and now both are incredibly smooth and quiet.

I also cleaned out all the grease on the gears, and replaced it with fresh grease, but less than was on there. Both reels were kind of jammed with grease.

35 minutes ago, WRB said:

The issue is the gear grease and colder temps. 

Tom

I was going to ask the OP if it’s cold where they live and if the reel was delivered by mail.

 

Any reel I got delivered in the winter has been stiff. Usually loosens up after a few days at room temp in my house. This include my new Lew’s inshore LFS holiday purchase.

 

Would be sooner if my wife didn’t keep the temp set to “arctic cold”

All my shimanos were that way out of the box. Theyll loosen up with use. Just got a curado in today and its that way but after playing with it for a few minutes it loosened up quite a bit. Its nothing to worry about 

14 hours ago, WRB said:

The issue is the gear grease and colder temps. 

Tom

Yeah your right. When i got it, it had been sitting in a cold fed ex truck for a while...

15 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Stop watching You Tube videos. LOL

3 minute spin time proves very little. 

If you put it in the microwave it will warm up quicker. 30 seconds is perfect. Or until you see sparks.

 

 

Edit* please don't actually do this

I'm surprised this thread lasted this long isn't typical protocol to call a physician if stiffness lasts longer than 4 hours?

23 hours ago, DomQ said:

If you put it in the microwave it will warm up quicker. 30 seconds is perfect. Or until you see sparks.

 

 

Edit* please don't actually do this

I wish you put the edit a little sooner.  The microwave didn’t work.  It just caused damage.  ?

6 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

I wish you put the edit a little sooner.  The microwave didn’t work.  It just caused damage.  ?

That is not covered under warranty. JB weld!!!