Spool Bearings Louder After Cleaning?

[bflp3]

So this is my first go at cleaning/re-lubing my reels. So far I've cleaned 4 PQs and a Johnny Morris Carbon Black, I've had these reels 1-3 years and this is the first time they've been cleaned. I've only cleaned the side plate spool bearings as I don't have spool pliers to get the bearing on the spool off. On each one of them, the palming side plate bearing is considerable louder and feels less smooth(worse free spin) after cleaning.

 

My routine has been to take all of the ball bearings out of the reel and put them in a jar of acetone. I put them in the ultrasonic for either 3 or 5 minutes. Then, I take them out of that jar and put them in a new jar of clean acetone and run them in the ultrasonic again. Each time, the acetone has been clean after the second run in the ultra sonic. I then pull them out of the acetone and let them completely dry. On a few of the reels I put the bearings in 92% isopropyl and put them in the ultrasonic for a minute, then pull them out and let them dry again. After they are dry, I put the bearing on a pencil tip, put a drop of Ardent Reel Oil on the gap between the center and the shield, and spin it a little on the pencil to work the oil in. Then I re-install them in the side plate.

 

Am I doing something wrong? I can quiet the bearings down by adding more reel oil, or adding some of the thicker Reel Butter Bearing Oil, but performance slows down as well, and they are still noisier than they were before. Anything I should do differently?

[BigMoneyGrip]

After cleaning them and using a lighter lube, they will be louder. It doensn't bother me though, I like hearing them babies sing! I've heard some that were just loud. Mine were only marginally louder than stock. I have the Bocca OS in my Core 51 and they are dry. It doesn't seem any louder than stock Shimano bearings that have been cleaned and lubed with a thin oil.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Spin test the bearing dry. If its clearly audible, feels rough and/or comes to a sudden stop as opposed to slowing gradually they need replacing.

[bflp3]

Hmm. I'd say all of them were pretty rough when spin testing them dry. Are these just poor quality bearings that really loosen up once the caked in grease is cleaned out? I'd be surprised if they had all gone bad, especially the JM Carbon Black I really noticed it on, since that reel hasn't seen much use. Perhaps I'll order a few Boca abec 5s, those are pretty cheap, give me an idea of the performance I should see.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

a good, clean, dry bearing will spin almost silently for several seconds. In use, it depends on the reel. 

[Capt.Bob]

Hmm. I'd say all of them were pretty rough when spin testing them dry. Are these just poor quality bearings that really loosen up once the caked in grease is cleaned out? I'd be surprised if they had all gone bad, especially the JM Carbon Black I really noticed it on, since that reel hasn't seen much use. Perhaps I'll order a few Boca abec 5s, those are pretty cheap, give me an idea of the performance I should see.

It is the bearing I would recamend to any of my customers abec 5 ss, they are sure to solve any bearing problem and capable of lasting till the reels are wore out. Just lube them properly,,,,, add one drop of oil as needed. do regular maintenance, and catch lots of fish!!!

[mjseverson24]

I would remove the shields first then soak in solvent then try the spin test again. 

 

Mitch

[bflp3]

Figured it out, bearings weren't actually clean. I severely underestimated the cleaning power of the acetone and ultrasonic cleaner. I accidentally figured it out when I decided to run the bearings again and the tension bearing came out super smooth. It took a ton more work of soaking over night, running in the ultrasonic, blowing it out with compressed air, changing the acetone, and repeating again. Eventually I got the side plate bearing pretty smooth as well.

For that much work, I might be better off just replacing them. Oh well, lesson learned. Now I have to go back and deep clean the side plate bearings of the reels I already cleaned.

Thanks for the help guys.

[pancityhanman]

get a bearing blaster, best 7.00 i ever spent. thanx

[J Francho]

Sounds like they are still dirty. I'd use a strong degreaser to completely break down any junk in the bearing before finishing with a bath in solvent. Perfect Solution is what I use.

[WRB]

I wouldn't put all the time and effort into stock bearings. Your best bet is to send the reels to be cleaned by a professional like DVT and have all the bearings upgraded to 5's, no reason to go 7's..

Then you can keep the bearings clean each year if you prefer tinkering with them.

Tom

[bflp3]

I wouldn't put all the time and effort into stock bearings. Your best bet is to send the reels to be cleaned by a professional like DVT and have all the bearings upgraded to 5's, no reason to go 7's..

Then you can keep the bearings clean each year if you prefer tinkering with them.

Tom

Well, I've already cleaned all but one of my reals, polished all the drag washers too. These side plate bearings are the only ones giving me trouble. I've got 5 of em running cycles in the ultrasonic cleaner right now, if they don't get smoother relatively easily I'll order a few 5s And replace them.

[bflp3]

Sounds like they are still dirty. I'd use a strong degreaser to completely break down any junk in the bearing before finishing with a bath in solvent. Perfect Solution is what I use.

I'm not very experienced with cleaners, is something like perfect solution or simple green a better degreaser than acetone?

[CWB]

Removing and placing the bearings in solvent takes maybe 5 minutes unless you let one of the retainers fly away.

I let them soak overnight then remove them and put them in a clean batch of de-greaser. I use Spry-On heavy duty citrus in a clean, small plastic cap from another spray bottle of something.

Works great and smells good if you happen to get some on you. Remove them again and let dry again.

Re-assemble, another 5 minutes at most, and then the key for me. I use Hi Quality Mobile light spindle oil which is used in our engraving machines and rated for 120,000 RPM. Ever since I started using this oil I have noticed a huge difference. One drop only! Had to buy a quart, which will last a lifetime but that's fine. Cost me less than a little tube of reel butter of whatever else. I do this at work on my lunch hour and can do 3-4 reels per week. 1 soaking and one assembling. Takes about 30 minutes to thoroughly disassemble, clean, lube and assemble a reel. Once you do enough of them it's a snap. No pun intended. I've worked in machine shops and auto repair shops my whole life so this is pretty basic for me but if you are not mechanically inclined, Do as WRB suggests. Have a pro do it. You'll have parts flying everywhere. For me 30 minutes is well worth it and also gives me something to do. The key is the high RPM low vis Mobil oil. Velocite Oil #6. Good luck.

[CWB]

I'm not very experienced with cleaners, is something like perfect solution or simple green a better degreaser than acetone?

Simple Green is much to thick. I think it has some type of grit in it also but could be wrong. Will be hard to get it out. Acetone should be fine.

[WRB]

My point is this; I am a descent reel technician and can keep my reels casting smoothly, however I am not as good as a pro reel tech. When you send a pro tech your reel the cost of bearings is minimal and the labor is low priced for the time and expertise.

Someone posted a good looking reel bearing cleaning device awhile back that would a good gadget to have?

Tom

[J Francho]

Simple green, no. Anyone that doubts PS hasn't used it. No need for US cleaners. Try it or don't. I've cleaned hundreds of reels with it. Works better than anything else I've tried, and doesn't come with any of the hassle of flammable solvents.

[bflp3]

Simple green, no. Anyone that doubts PS hasn't used it. No need for US cleaners. Try it or don't. I've cleaned hundreds of reels with it. Works better than anything else I've tried, and doesn't come with any of the hassle of flammable solvents.

I'll try to pick some up tomorrow. Thanks!

[J Francho]

Lowe's is your best bet. Squirt it full strength into a baby food jar. Cover, leave over night. Pull them out, rinse in gentle, hot water thoroughly. Dry with a blow dryer. Gently test spin on a chopstick or pencil.

[dam0007]

Isn't isopropyl rubbing alcohol? Wouldn't that be real bad for bearings?

[J Francho]

Nope. Works well as a finishing bath. I prefer acetone as a last bath. Dries quicker.

[iabass8]

I just started using perfect solution based on the other thread. i've only cleaned two reels so far but I'm going to be using it from now on. its good stuff. i got it for 4.99 at lowes.

[dam0007]

I usually use lighter fluid

[J Francho]

Lighter fluid (naphtha) works ok, but it leaves a hazy film behind. I still contend that a degreaser followed by a bath in solvent is by far the best method. I've been playing with skipping the solvent bath altogether. Results so far are good.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Repeated & prolonged Naphtha exposure has health implications as well. So far, Perfect Solution seems to be just that.