Super User Further North Posted March 25, 2019 Super User Posted March 25, 2019 I have an Abu Garcia LTX on my Senko rig. It's been in use for about three seasons now and gets a ton of use (It's one of my go-to rigs). Doing my pre-season cleaning/maintenance, I noticed that when I fling a bait out there, the reel starts "buzzing" when the bait is a ways out. It's not immediate, it takes a couple seconds before you hear the sound, then it persists until the bait hits the ground, or I thumb the spool. I've tried making adjustments to clear it up (it's less, but not eliminated, when spool tension is increased), but nothing makes it go away completely. I'm thinking bearings? If so, where do I get new ones, or should I upgrade to something better? Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted March 25, 2019 Super User Posted March 25, 2019 7 hours ago, Further North said: I'm thinking bearings? Maybe you need a drop of oil on the spool bearings. It happened to me yesterday, in fact. Different reel, same problem. For whatever reason they were dry. Just a guess Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 25, 2019 Posted March 25, 2019 Good cleaning and lubrication is always a good starting point. Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 25, 2019 Author Super User Posted March 25, 2019 I did a clean and lube yesterday, it was still making the noise. I'll check it today, but I'm not optimistic. Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 25, 2019 Author Super User Posted March 25, 2019 I took it all apart, made sure everything was clean and lubed...still making the same noise. You can feel a slight vibration and the spool slows down some. Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 25, 2019 Author Super User Posted March 25, 2019 The vibration is minimal, it's the noise that's really telling me there's a problem...but I suppose it's a possibility. How would a shaft get bent? Just for clarification, the reel was making the sound at the end of last season too - it's not a result of putting it back together incorrectly. Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted March 25, 2019 Super User Posted March 25, 2019 Generally, a “screeching” or “buzzing” sound when casting is related to spool bearings. Yours could either bad or need to be flushed. A single flush is almost never enough, btw. Quote
fin Posted March 25, 2019 Posted March 25, 2019 Just to narrow things down, maybe try adjusting the braking and tension while spinning the spool by hand to see if that has any effect. 1 Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 26, 2019 Author Super User Posted March 26, 2019 2 hours ago, iabass8 said: Generally, a “screeching” or “buzzing” sound when casting is related to spool bearings. Yours could either bad or need to be flushed. A single flush is almost never enough, btw. Have not looked into flushing...I found a video by Boca Bearings on how to clean them, is that what we're talking about? 24 minutes ago, fin said: Just to narrow things down, maybe try adjusting the braking and tension while spinning the spool by hand to see if that has any effect. Did that - it went away for a cast or two, then came back. At this point, I'm thinking I should just install new bearings. Does anyone have a recommendation? Go with OEM? Upgrade? Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted March 26, 2019 Super User Posted March 26, 2019 14 minutes ago, Further North said: Have not looked into flushing...I found a video by Boca Bearings on how to clean them, is that what we're talking about? Did that - it went away for a cast or two, then came back. At this point, I'm thinking I should just install new bearings. Does anyone have a recommendation? Go with OEM? Upgrade? Remove both of the spool bearings. Put them in acetone or lighter fluid and swirl them around and let them sit for 10 minutes. A baby food jar works really well for this. Take them out and put them on a pencil and give them a light spin to check for either fluidity or rough spots. Repeat this process over and over until the bearings are smooth. Your bearings don't need to spin forever. The key is to make sure they start smooth and come to a very smooth, easy stop, not an abrupt stop. If you notice any noise or the bearing is stopping suddenly after test spinning, keep cleaning it. When they are clean, add a very, very small single drop of oil to each bearing. Replace in reel and test. A reel with regular use through the year should have this done annually. 1 Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 26, 2019 Author Super User Posted March 26, 2019 3 minutes ago, iabass8 said: Remove both of the spool bearings. Put them in acetone or lighter fluid and swirl them around and let them sit for 10 minutes. A baby food jar works really well for this. Take them out and put them on a pencil and give them a light spin to check for either fluidity or rough spots. Repeat this process over and over until the bearings are smooth. Your bearings don't need to spin forever. The key is to make sure they start smooth and come to a stop very smooth, not abruptly. If you notice any noise or the bearing is stopping suddenly after test spinning, keep cleaning it. When they are clean, add a very, very small single drop of oil to each bearing. Replace in reel and test. I'll give that a shot, thanks. Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 26, 2019 Author Super User Posted March 26, 2019 ...I'm still looking for replacement/upgrades for the bearings that are in the LTX now. Any thoughts? Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted March 26, 2019 Super User Posted March 26, 2019 Zpi while you can still get them. hedgehog air hds Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 26, 2019 Author Super User Posted March 26, 2019 15 minutes ago, iabass8 said: Zpi while you can still get them. hedgehog air hds Lots of choices there...do you have specific recommendations? I'm bearing illiterate, so bear with me. Happy to take PMs or phone calls... Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted March 26, 2019 Super User Posted March 26, 2019 7 hours ago, Further North said: Lots of choices there...do you have specific recommendations? I'm bearing illiterate, so bear with me. Happy to take PMs or phone calls... ZPI sic are my favorite. Quote
Drew03cmc Posted March 26, 2019 Posted March 26, 2019 Hedgehog is my favorite. Reel Demon is a good, affordable upgrade. Acetone followed by oil is the way to go. Also, on the palm side, look at the spool, take a q tip with a drop of oil around the rim of the spool where the brakes ride. Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 28, 2019 Author Super User Posted March 28, 2019 Thanks all. I'm following up on a couple things, I appreciate all the advice and patience. Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted March 28, 2019 Super User Posted March 28, 2019 Good luck @Further North. I've changed out bearing before but it's hard to recommend bearing size only to find out the one's you bought don't fit. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 28, 2019 Super User Posted March 28, 2019 Call Dawn at Smooth Drag. She'll get you set up. http://smoothdrag.com/price.html Quote
Glaucus Posted March 28, 2019 Posted March 28, 2019 "Buzzing" sound from Abu Garcia LTX sound from Abu Garcia LTX from Abu Garcia LTX Abu Garcia 1 1 Quote
Super User Further North Posted April 1, 2019 Author Super User Posted April 1, 2019 On 3/28/2019 at 12:27 PM, Glaucus said: "Buzzing" sound from Abu Garcia LTX sound from Abu Garcia LTX from Abu Garcia LTX Abu Garcia I've no idea what you're getting at... 1 Quote
Glaucus Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 9 minutes ago, Further North said: I've no idea what you're getting at... I narrowed down your problem. Teasing of course. 1 Quote
Super User Further North Posted April 6, 2019 Author Super User Posted April 6, 2019 Update Cleaning the bearings looked like a PITA, and I wasn't confident that it'd get the job done 100%, so I opted to get new ones, and a tool for getting to pin out of the spool shaft. The former were cheap in relation to my time, and the latter is a one-time buy useful on all my reels. Bearings (Hedgehogs) got here today, and I swapped them out when I got home...total time...maybe 20 minutes. Everything looked good, tied on a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook, threaded a Senko on, and pitched a cast into the bach yard. Still buzzing. #$(*it. Definitely a rotational sorta sound In the conversation with the gentleman I bought the bearings from, we talked about a 3rd bearing, under the cap of the spool tension knob. It isn't engaged during a cast, but what the heck, I've nothing to lose...so a carefully backed the cap all the way out, then in a bit a tossed the Senko. No buzz. Tightened it up a bit... No buzz. Set it like I'd use it...no buzz. It's working great now, time will tell if it all shakes out. Subjective evaluation: It casts wonderfully with the new bearings. Distance is surprising. If it matters, Dawn at Smoothdrag never bothered to call me back. Disappointing. Quote
Super User GreenPig Posted April 6, 2019 Super User Posted April 6, 2019 Bearing needs cleaning/lubing. I use an ultrasonic cleaner with acetone. I run bearings shieldless so oil is part of my tackle. Check for loose line on your spool since it's happening on the last half of the cast. 1 Quote
Super User Further North Posted April 6, 2019 Author Super User Posted April 6, 2019 1 hour ago, GreenPig said: Bearing needs cleaning/lubing. I use an ultrasonic cleaner with acetone. I run bearings shieldless so oil is part of my tackle. Check for loose line on your spool since it's happening on the last half of the cast. They might have...it was easier, and faster to change the bearings. A bit of an upgrade as well. Line on the spool was tight, but I went ahead and re-spooled it anyway, it was a few seasons old. Quote
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