Tsi Dipped Pinion Bearings?

[OnthePotomac]

I run two reels with TSI 301 dipped bearings and they are going strong after two years.  I know there are other TSI fans on here and I am wondering if TSI dipped pinion bearings fished in fresh water would be as protected as packing them in grease?  Comments welcome.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Reels should be torn down periodically regardless of what lube is used. Dirt and contaminates still need to be cleaned out. The benefit to TSI IMO is a more free spinning spool bearing and maybe a little less in between attention required. Grease or heavy oil are my preference for frame bearings. There's no base line for a comparison to be sure how long a lube will last without negative affects until the part is already worn. 

[OnthePotomac]

At this point I am thinking to just run a test on one.  I normally strip down my reels once a year, I might just dip one now, run it through the summer, and see how it goes after three month or so.  It really isn't a load bearing bearing anyway.

[.ghoti.]

I tried TSI 321 once on gears. Didn't like it. A good grease makes the gearing smoother and quieter. Have no idea about longevity; I didn't leave it like that very long. I love TSI for spool bearings. IAR bearing and levelwind, prefer cal's or shimano grease for gears and drags, and 90wt gear oil for frame and handle bearings.

[OnthePotomac]

This would strictly be a dipped pinion bearing, in addition to the two-year old TSI spool bearings.

[.RM.]

Running TSI on a pinion bearing.??

Is this a pinion bearing from spinning reels or a pinion base bearing in a BC reel.

Neither IMPO need to be treated.

 

Tight Lines!

[OnthePotomac]

This the pinion bearing on my Shimano baitcasters.  I just found a fellow on Alan Tani's site who has been using only TSI 321 on his pinion bearings for two years now with no problem.  I am waiting for his response on how often he cleans them and with what before he reapplies TSI 321.  Of course greased gears has always been the way to go.

[baluga]

Yes for dipping baitcaster pinion bearing in TSi 301 with the intention to use in Fresh water only, That would be would hold up pretty good.  TSi301 bonds into the metal like a micro thin film to protect the bearing.