carbontex drag washers

I got a shimano tekota 500 about a year ago, and considered it the most reliable reel I've ever owned. But yesterday the drag failed badly---if I turned the handle when there was moderate pressure on the end of the line, the drag would immediately slip to almost nothing. After losing 3 fish, I gave up. So, I guess that means it's maintenance time...

It looks like this detailed posting from 2009 gives all the necessary info:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17594.msg173602#msg173602

So, I'm just wondering if there is any local place to pick up the carbontex drag washers, since I'd like to do this ASAP. Thanks.

I get mine from Smoothdrag.com.  They are pretty fast in shipping.

I get mine from ebay.

OK, thanks. I guess I'll probably have to order them...

Check with Alan Tani, he is in Saratoga and might have some.

Check with Alan Tani, he is in Saratoga and might have some.

Don't know why I didn't think of that. Thanks.

http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=357.0

Here is the link to rebuild master's tekota 500 tutorial.

http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=357.0

Here is the link to rebuild master's tekota 500 tutorial.

I believe that's the same as the tutorial in the link above.

Since it doesn't seem likely that I'll get the new drag washers right away, I went ahead and took the reel apart and cleaned it up following the master's instructions (OK, I skipped the levelwind parts---I'll do that next time, I promise...). It didn't take long and the only thing that took even a few minutes thought was figuring out this when re-assembling:
 
make sure the yoke plate (key #381) is in the "up" position

Anyways, it's working much better now and definitely should have done it sooner. Some of the screws on the handle-side were loose, and I'd never touched those. There was some crude around the drag and that was the source of the problem. I can't wait to get the new drag washers. Having had it apart once, it'll be a piece of cake to replace those.

Several years ago I got some carbon washers from Fisherman's Warehouse in San Jose - for Penn reels - might be worth a call.  And you want to get the right grease for them - I think I got that there too, or maybe at Angler's Choice on 41st in SC..   

Several years ago I got some carbon washers from Fisherman's Warehouse in San Jose - for Penn reels - might be worth a call.  And you want to get the right grease for them - I think I got that there too, or maybe at Angler's Choice on 41st in SC..   

use Cal's greae on them. 

Several years ago I got some carbon washers from Fisherman's Warehouse in San Jose - for Penn reels - might be worth a call.  And you want to get the right grease for them - I think I got that there too, or maybe at Angler's Choice on 41st in SC..

Thanks. I'll give that a try.