Replacement Bearing Supplier

[papajoe222]

I currently have ceramic bearings in four of my Daiwa baitcasters.  The noise never bothered me until I got my hearing aids. Now it drives me nuts.

I'm looking to replace, not only the spool bearings, but I also want to replace the bushing on the level wind gear with a bearing.  Other than Boca, who would you recommend?

[cadman]

I do not use Boca anymore. I found a place that to me the bearings are much better for a lot less cost. The name of the place is "TRB RC". They have their own website, you can also buy them at Amazon or E-bay. Free shipping from all places above. If you buy 10 packs like I do and you buy multiple 10 packs of different sizes you get a discount. Depends on the reels, but I use a lot of 3x10x4 and 5x11x4. These sizes are usually for the spool and the two end carrier bearings that go in the side plates. I have been using them for 3 years and have never had a bad bearing. If you go on their site, they have bearings called fishing bearings. The 3x10x4 and 5x11x4 are Abec-5. Your other bearings like for your worm gear and main gear are Abec-3. I still clean them from the factory and put my own oil in them. I've talked to the owner extensively and he is very helpful. If you need more info you can PM me.

[JustJames]

For Daiwa I recommend order directly from Daiwa. You pay a little more but you would get quality and trustable bearing, beside that Daiwa spool bearing often time come in different size depends on model. 
for worm gear mostly use the same size as knob bearings unless older model. I would order from any RC place, I also ordered with TRB RC before and they work just fine. I would pay a little more for stainless steel instead of chrome steel bearings.

[garroyo130]

On 10/8/2024 at 7:44 AM, cadman said:

I do not use Boca anymore. I found a place that to me the bearings are much better for a lot less cost. The name of the place is "TRB RC". They have their own website, you can also buy them at Amazon or E-bay. Free shipping from all places above. If you buy 10 packs like I do and you buy multiple 10 packs of different sizes you get a discount. Depends on the reels, but I use a lot of 3x10x4 and 5x11x4. These sizes are usually for the spool and the two end carrier bearings that go in the side plates. I have been using them for 3 years and have never had a bad bearing. If you go on their site, they have bearings called fishing bearings. The 3x10x4 and 5x11x4 are Abec-5. Your other bearings like for your worm gear and main gear are Abec-3. I still clean them from the factory and put my own oil in them. I've talked to the owner extensively and he is very helpful. If you need more info you can PM me.

 

TRB RC is my go to place as well. I will warn that every now and then you will get a bad one (seems more common in the smaller sizes like handle knob bearings) so check them all as soon as you receive them. They have replaced the few bad bearings I have received. 

[cadman]

When I looked into bearings, I looked exclusively for stainless steel bearings. Reason being is, some guys use their reels for fresh and brackish water applications. I am not affiliated or have anything to do with TRB and I asked what materials their fishing bearings are made of. They told me that their bearing races, balls and shields are all stainless steel. I have not had any failures so far in 5 years+. I'm not saying you should buy from them, however I've gone through a lot of bearing companies and there are some garbage bearings out there so do your homework.

[newapti5]

If you're looking for value, I've been using this company's bearings for years, ceramic hybrid or stainless steel. They're not JDM bearings, but given their pricing, IMO they're the best value out there. 

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1100800780 

[redmeansdistortion]

NMB bearings which are used by Daiwa in the factories.  Get them via Yahoo Shopping out of Japan for $1-$2 each, or you can get them domestically for $5 to $7 each. I run them in all of my reels, BFS or otherwise, and they perform just as well or even better than the overly hyped stuff out there at a fraction of the cost.

 

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, redmeansdistortion said:

NMB bearings which are used by Daiwa in the factories.  Get them via Yahoo Shopping out of Japan for $1-$2 each, or you can get them domestically for $5 to $7 each. I run them in all of my reels, BFS or otherwise, and they perform just as well or even better than the overly hyped stuff out there at a fraction of the cost.

 

 

Is this where you ordered from? 

 

https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/bb-store/ddr1030zz2.html?sc_i=shopping-smartphone-web-result-item-rsltlst-title

 

If so, I tried them a few years ago. I ordered several of the sizes I needed for some of my buddies reels and my purchase was a bust. Only a few were good. Some were dry while others were oiled but most of them clicked when spun. 

 

Also, you are correct about them being used in Daiwa factories.  I purchased a Tatula BF70 BFS reel that had bad spool bearings right out of the box. I was asked by the shop I purchased it from to send it Daiwa for them to repair. They then let me exchange it for another reel (Shimano Curado BFS). For whatever reason Daiwa sent the repaired reel back to me instead of the shop. So I called them to see what they fixed and they told me that the factory bearings are some times different from the part bearings they use and that they have had an on going issue with this. Long story short, I was able to keep the repaired reel for free and it works like a totally different reel.  It's awesome. 

 

When I have time I will post a pic of the bearings they sent back.

 

[redmeansdistortion]

4 hours ago, FishTank said:

 

Is this where you ordered from? 

 

https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/bb-store/ddr1030zz2.html?sc_i=shopping-smartphone-web-result-item-rsltlst-title

 

If so, I tried them a few years ago. I ordered several of the sizes I needed for some of my buddies reels and my purchase was a bust. Only a few were good. Some were dry while others were oiled but most of them clicked when spun. 

 

Also, you are correct about them being used in Daiwa factories.  I purchased a Tatula BF70 BFS reel that had bad spool bearings right out of the box. I was asked by the shop I purchased it from to send it Daiwa for them to repair. They then let me exchange it for another reel (Shimano Curado BFS). For whatever reason Daiwa sent the repaired reel back to me instead of the shop. So I called them to see what they fixed and they told me that the factory bearings are some times different from the part bearings they use and that they have had an on going issue with this. Long story short, I was able to keep the repaired reel for free and it works like a totally different reel.  It's awesome. 

 

When I have time I will post a pic of the bearings they sent back.

 

That's where I got them.  I remove the shields on them and they all came greased.  I use CRC electronics cleaner to remove the grease, then a shot of TSI 301, and lastly, blow out the excess with compressed air.  I've put them in about a dozen and a half reels so far and haven't gotten a bad one yet.

[redmeansdistortion]

Here is how they look right out of the box with the shields removed.  According to NMB data sheets, they use a NLGI 0 grease and fill them to 25% capacity.

 

After a cleaning with CRC electronics cleaner.

 

They spin very, very good without oil.  I measured anywhere from 31 to 34 seconds on those four.  Hedgehog Airs spin from 10 to 15 seconds, at least the 8 I have anyway.  Those in the photo are the 1150 size, same as the Hedgehogs I replaced them with.  When both bearings are oiled the difference in spin time is very negligible, not even a noteworthy difference.  The Hedgehogs do use the crown retainers whereas NMB uses stamped ribbons.  I'm not sure if retainer style makes a difference, especially in the Hedgehogs as they are higher quality to begin with.  The AliEx ceramic hybirds I've dissected used crowns, but the edges were very sharp.  I'd imagine the Hedgehog retainers are much smoother.  The raceways of the AliEx bearings had a rather poor finish as well, and that in itself is indicative of how well it will perform.  

[FishTank]

15 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Here is how they look right out of the box with the shields removed.  According to NMB data sheets, they use a NLGI 0 grease and fill them to 25% capacity.

 

After a cleaning with CRC electronics cleaner.

 

They spin very, very good without oil.  I measured anywhere from 31 to 34 seconds on those four.  Hedgehog Airs spin from 10 to 15 seconds, at least the 8 I have anyway.  Those in the photo are the 1150 size, same as the Hedgehogs I replaced them with.  When both bearings are oiled the difference in spin time is very negligible, not even a noteworthy difference.  The Hedgehogs do use the crown retainers whereas NMB uses stamped ribbons.  I'm not sure if retainer style makes a difference, especially in the Hedgehogs as they are higher quality to begin with.  The AliEx ceramic hybirds I've dissected used crowns, but the edges were very sharp.  I'd imagine the Hedgehog retainers are much smoother.  The raceways of the AliEx bearings had a rather poor finish as well, and that in itself is indicative of how well it will perform.  

 

Those look good.  The packaging and label look the same but the bearings I received I don't believe were greased. I did not remove the seals though.  Back then I would have soaked them in either acetone or simple green and would have used TSI 321 for oil. 

 

I will need to dig deeper into my Daiwa reels to see what they have in them. This new Tatula BFS reel is the first one I have had issues with out of the box.

 

Personally, I was getting my bearings from Boca but as of late I think they changed suppliers. The last pair I bought were not as good as the previous. I have also tried Hedgehogs and ZPI as well.

 

I come to find it easier and better to order from the reel companies themselves. I just buy what they put in their higher end reels. For example,  I put the newer Antares spool bearings in my buddy's old Curado B's and they worked extremely well. 

 

Here is a pic of the bearings Daiwa took out just in case. The new ones are darker in color.

 

 

[redmeansdistortion]

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

 

Those look good.  The packaging and label look the same but the bearings I received I don't believe were greased. I did not remove the seals though.  Back then I would have soaked them in either acetone or simple green and would have used TSI 321 for oil. 

 

I will need to dig deeper into my Daiwa reels to see what they have in them. This new Tatula BFS reel is the first one I have had issues with out of the box.

 

Personally, I was getting my bearings from Boca but as of late I think they changed suppliers. The last pair I bought were not as good as the previous. I have also tried Hedgehogs and ZPI as well.

 

I come to find it easier and better to order from the reel companies themselves. I just buy what they put in their higher end reels. For example,  I put the newer Antares spool bearings in my buddy's old Curado B's and they worked extremely well. 

 

Here is a pic of the bearings Daiwa took out just in case. The new ones are darker in color.

 

 

The grease they used was fairly tacky.  I tried spirits and simple green, in an ultrasonic cleaner no less.  I couldn't get the stuff out completely without removing the shields.  

[FishTank]

Just now, redmeansdistortion said:

The grease they used was fairly tacky.  I tried spirits and simple green, in an ultrasonic cleaner no less.  I couldn't get the stuff out completely without removing the shields.  

Good to know. The only ones I have taken the seals off to clean were the orange seals from Boca and that was because, for whatever reason, they didn't fit properly. 

 

Also, I have an ultrasonic cleaner that I use now and you're right, grease can be tough. I believe the grease you mentioned is similar to Super Lube. It takes a lot to remove all it.

 

Thanks for the tips. 

[bulldog1935]

BTW, with shields removed, you don't need soap.  

Grease is paraffin, and denatured alcohol or even hexane is a 100% solvent.  

Extraction chemistry is in my bailiwick.  

[newapti5]

13 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

BTW, with shields removed, you don't need soap.  

Grease is paraffin, and denatured alcohol or even hexane is a 100% solvent.  

Extraction chemistry is in my bailiwick.  

 

TBH, grease removal is not the part I worried much about in bearing maintenance; it's how to store them in long term without those grease. I found out some of my bearings, SS and ceramic hybrid, were not rotating as well as before after long storage. It's probably the damp environment and the lack of vacuum storage bags. Any suggestions?

[redmeansdistortion]

6 hours ago, newapti5 said:

 

TBH, grease removal is not the part I worried much about in bearing maintenance; it's how to store them in long term without those grease. I found out some of my bearings, SS and ceramic hybrid, were not rotating as well as before after long storage. It's probably the damp environment and the lack of vacuum storage bags. Any suggestions?

That could be it.  A little moisture can introduce rust, and even a miniscule amount can hamper rotation.  Bearing manufacturers store their bearings away lubricated to mitigate this, especially large manufacturers that keep a healthy back stock.  For long term storage, I would use oil for storage since it's easier to remove and refresh with your oil of choice.  FWIW, I did try a set of these bearings in one of my Millionaires right out of the package and while they didn't rotate the greatest, the reel did cast good enough.  I've read of many instances where people will pre-service a new reel and find the bearings greased from the factory.  What I believe is happening is the manufacturers are putting the bearings straight into the reels without cleaning and lubricating as they get them from the bearing suppliers.  I've seen this happen on some of my own Daiwas.