Baitcaster Bushings Replacements?

[Jamess]

Can you replace bushings for ball bearings? My Baitcaster has a bushing in the tension knob area. Can i change it out with some bearings?

[iabass8]

yes. 

 

bocabearings website sells "kits" for an entire reel. When you view the kit for your reel, they list the size of each bearing in the kit. You're looking for the cast control knob bearing. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Don't waste money replacing every bearing. Look for a SS ABEC5 bearing with the proper dimensions: IDxODxWidth (Thickness). If you want to email or pm me I'll help you find what you need. The reel model is helpful too. One more thing, depending on the design of the reel, the bushing you're talking about may or may not even come into play during casting. If there is a bearing on the spool shaft and side plate swapping out the bushing won't do much if anything. 

[rippin-lips]

Daiwa lexa ?

[jbrew73]

Don't waste money replacing every bearing. Look for a SS ABEC5 bearing with the proper dimensions: IDxODxWidth (Thickness). If you want to email or pm me I'll help you find what you need. The reel model is helpful too. One more thing, depending on the design of the reel, the bushing you're talking about may or may not even come into play during casting. If there is a bearing on the spool shaft and side plate swapping out the bushing won't do much if anything.

not to hijack but, whats the point of the bearing in the side plate ? my lews reels have them but they dont actually fit the spool shaft in the area that they fit.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The intention, I assume is to provide lateral support for the spool when under load. 

[Jamess]

@rippin-lips

No Daiwa Aird Coastal. Thinking if i should switch it or not.

[Jamess]

Daiwa lexa ?

No A Daiwa Aird Coastal. Does it do much if changed?

[rippin-lips]

@rippin-lips

No Daiwa Aird Coastal. Thinking if i should switch it or not.

Basically the same reel. The spool shaft doesn't even make contact with the bushing. No need to replace it. Been there, done that, no difference.

[poisonokie]

any time there is a bushing, you can swap it out with a bearing and I usually always do. Especially spinning reel line rollers and drag bushings.

[poisonokie]

the best thing to do to a Lexa is replace the spool bearings. I had those blow out on two different reels. Hedgehog studio all the way.

[Jamess]

I dont have spool pin pliers . 

[poisonokie]

ah. See, I got a hedgehog studio spool pin tool when all the scratched ones were on sale. It is ridiculous how expensive the tools that perform that function are.

[masterbass]

If you ever want to do maintenance and upgrades to your own reels you need to get a tool to remove spool pins.  I use the hedge hogs tool. 

[poisonokie]

Don't waste money replacing every bearing. Look for a SS ABEC5 bearing with the proper dimensions: IDxODxWidth (Thickness). If you want to email or pm me I'll help you find what you need. The reel model is helpful too. One more thing, depending on the design of the reel, the bushing you're talking about may or may not even come into play during casting. If there is a bearing on the spool shaft and side plate swapping out the bushing won't do much if anything. 

 

So are you saying I wasted my time with a wormshaft bearing?

[rippin-lips]

My only experience with worm gear bearing upgrades is on Daiwa reels. I do it because I like to tinker with things. Some of their expensive reels have a bushing instead of a bearing. Like the PX68 or TD Zillion. Both were $300 reels. I've seen no benefit from the upgrade. Some say they feel smoother or when resistance is applied while fighting a fish you can tell. I can not though. It's a cheap upgrade and gives me something to do.

[poisonokie]

I did it to a t3. I can't tell much difference, either, but I was thinking in terms of longevity. I did see a difference by giving each knob another bearing, though.

[masterbass]

The bushings I've replaced were in a T3 ballistic.  I replaced the drive shaft and worm gear bushings.  I don't know if the worm gear bearing made any difference, but the drive shaft bearing made a big difference.  I personally can't tell the difference between 2 bearings vs 1 bearing/bushing in knobs.

[rippin-lips]

^^^ me either. I usually add 1-2 shims to all my knobs to eliminate any wiggle. So I add bearings while they're off. Considering 20 bearings runs me $8. So why not,right

[poisonokie]

maybe I just screwed the knobs back on better, then. I don't know. I just know it's got 11 ball bearings now instead of 8 and probably only needs half that

[Jamess]

Yes those are VERY pricey for a couple times use.  

[poisonokie]

Yes those are VERY pricey for a couple times use.

 

well, they come in handy for more than just swapping bearings. When it comes time to clean and lube your spool bearings the only way to do it is to get em off the spool.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

So are you saying I wasted my time with a wormshaft bearing?

Not necessarily it depends on what your expectations are. That's probably not something I'd have bothered with but it's a personal call. Level wind bearings are somewhat irrelevant except in a non disengaging reel like the Ambassadeur.

[poisonokie]

Not necessarily it depends on what your expectations are. That's probably not something I'd have bothered with but it's a personal call. Level wind bearings are somewhat irrelevant except in a non disengaging reel like the Ambassadeur.

I'll keep that in mind if I ever get that Alphas