Shimano E series brake issues

All of the sudden my curado 50E reels I use for small crank baits are melting the brake “things” in no time.

I can set brakes and side resistance and start fishing , works fine for a while then it starts trying to backlash I look under the side cover and half the brake is melted off on the ones that I have engaged.


Any ideas ? Need new brake “drum” maybe ?

Unless I'm misunderstanding your post this is very weird if new brake shoes are melting. I've been in the reel repair business 37 years and I've seen them wear out over time but not melt fast. Are these the original brakes or off brand replacements? Are you lightly oiling the brake ring?

Yes melting , no never have oiled them honestly never knew to do so.

Originals on plastic “pads”

Replace the brakes and lightly oil the brake ring.

That is very odd.
I have never heard of that happening.

How many brakes are you engaging?

2 usually or 3


Had these reels since they came out so I don’t get it either

That is very odd.
Never in my 18 years of working on reels have I heard of that.

Can you post some pics. Me or tacklesmith might can help you more if we can actually see what's going on.

I will try to if I get over to my storage today

On the old original CU200 greenies the brake race would accumulate plastic from the brake pads and build up to the point that a loud screeching sound could be heard on the cast. Many thought a bearing had gone out but that wasn't the case. It was plastic buildup on the race. It could be removed with extremely fine grit sandpaper (1800-2000) and then polished with chrome polish, very similar to super tuning some of the metal to metal contact points on spool shafts etc. I have had the same thing happen on some of my heavily used '13 Metaniums and cleaning the brake drum fixed it. Just a thought for you. 'spoon