davidwright27 Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 Should you replace the bearings on all your casting reels (assuming you paid north of $100), or once you get to a certain level reel are the bearings good enough not to replace? Thanks for your advice and sorry if this question has been asked before I did try to search and didn't locate a similar thread. - David Quote
Wbeadlescomb Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I've never had a problem just fishing with them but what do I know...... Quote
The Rooster Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I can see how it can help but most people for normal fishing needs will be fine using stock bearings. Here's a link to a thread where I posted about cleaning my reel which has only stock bearings, and I posted a short video showing the free spool I got from it. I think it speaks well of the bearing abilities. This reel was only $80 at full retail and I only paid $60 on sale. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/131350-my-old-reel-cleaned-and-lubed/#entry1453727 Quote
davidwright27 Posted February 28, 2014 Author Posted February 28, 2014 Thanks for the link Rooster. Quote
TheMightyQuinn Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 Rooster, just curious, how did you clean your bearings? Quote
skeletor6 Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 Should you replace the bearings on all your casting reels (assuming you paid north of $100), or once you get to a certain level reel are the bearings good enough not to replace? Thanks for your advice and sorry if this question has been asked before I did try to search and didn't locate a similar thread. - David If you have the money it sure doesn't hurt. I did, so I went ahead and did it on most of my reels. This went along with cleaning and tuning. It is pointless to add bearings if you have not cleaned your reel. To answer what is in bold, price is not a solid indicator of bearing quality. Do some research on your reel(s) to see what is in there. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 Bearing upgrades are largely an enthusiast activity. If they wear out and need replacing anyway, you can get better bearings at better prices from an after market source. The first step I recommend is to flush the stockers and lube them with a light oil. Remove the bearings from the reel and soak them is a small jar of solvent. Naptha will work but acetone woks better, dries quicker and smells less. In the shop I'm using Perfect Solution degreaser from Lowes. Soak in 50/50 mix with hot water, rinse with hot water, dry and final rinse in either denatured alcohol or acetone. Dry completely and spin test checking for noise and roughness. Add one small drop of light oil like the Bantam that comes with a Shimano. Ultra sonics are over kill in a DIY scenario and I avoid spinning a dry a bearing by mechanical means. Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 I've got all stock bearings in my reels and I think they're just fine. I plan on using them until they are shot and then if the reel is still in good shape otherwise, I'll put new bearings in. 1 Quote
John G Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I've got all stock bearings in my reels and I think they're just fine. I plan on using them until they are shot and then if the reel is still in good shape otherwise, I'll put new bearings in. I agree with the factory bearings as long as they are for a high end reel. My reason for wanting the bearings that Shimano would use in a Calais or a Core 50 MG7 is because they will/should be quality and quiet bearings. Quote
Smallmouth Hunter Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I bought a tatula a couple months ago and the spool bearings had awful tolerances.. The inner race was not staying in place while spinning. It rocked back and forth while on high speed (put it on a drill to see what was going on and saw this). The other spool bearing would hardly spin at all. I couldn't get it to freely spin at all.. I replaced both bearings, and it made a difference. Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 Ultra sonics are over kill in a DIY scenario and I avoid spinning a dry a bearing by mechanical means. but effective oe Quote
The Rooster Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 Rooster, just curious, how did you clean your bearings? All I do is soak them in automotive spray brake parts cleaner while I'm cleaning the rest of the reel parts. Only the all metal stainless steel bearings, NOT the roller bearing cage itself since it has plastic in it. I just squirt a little in the inverted lid of the can (using it as a bowl), enough to cover the bearings, and drop them in. Then when I need them I dry them on a paper towel, blow them out, and spin them on a artist paint brush handle a few times to see that they free spin nicely. I use the brush to clean and grease the gear teeth. If they spin freely then I reinstall them in the reel and put one single drop of a light weight machine oil on them. No more. If they don't, I will dip them again in the brake parts cleaner, maybe swish them around, and blow them out again. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 Bearing upgrades are largely an enthusiast activity. What he said! Quote
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