Greasing gears in a reel, what's the proper way??

[The Rooster]

OK, I know I said that, and I was starting to feel that way at the time.

Now though, I want to retract that last statement and reserve judgement until I can do some further fishing with these reels this season again.

Reason being is that I just opened up that last reel again and removed the gearing only (as everything else was already cleaned up). I cleaned the gears thoroughly again and THIS TIME I brushed the grease into the gears using a 1/4 inch wide artist's paint brush. I used far less grease than ever before, so little in fact that I could barely tell it was there.

But when I reassembled it again it cranked smooth as glass. I couldn't feel that gear mesh that I felt before. So I lined it up and went out in the back yard for a dry run with a casting plug. I casted it around for about 5 minutes and reeled it back in fairly fast for another cast again. I could not feel any gear mesh this time. The reel felt very connected in terms of how solid it was, I can feel the machined parts working as I crank, but it was in a precision sort of way, no gear mesh and no roughness at all. 

I do not know what the real difference is, maybe the brush forced the grease deeper into the gear teeth, or maybe it just made for a better bond to the surface of that smooth brass with a little force applying it instead of just being lightly squeezed out into the teeth. All I know is that now I will be able to get by using far less grease (making a tube last longer) and can have better results.

Otherwise I don't have a huge problem with the way these Extremes are built. I would like to have 2 bearings under each paddle instead of just 1 only, but I suspect I can order another set for fairly cheap and then my reels will be 9 bearing models.

So far I'm satisfied with the results. When the bearings are sprayed down with brake parts cleaner and then relubed with a SINGLE drop of oil only (and not a heavy one), then that spool will cast a country mile. When there is no line on it and I just spin it, it looks like a blur for a solid 20 seconds. I cannot ask for more than that from a $60 on sale reel.

I'll let you know how this goes, but I think it will turn out well in the end. Thanks to the person who suggested using a brush to apply the grease, that was the tip I needed to pull this all together.

[BassThumb]

When the bearings are sprayed down with brake parts cleaner and then relubed with a SINGLE drop of oil only (and not a heavy one), then that spool will cast a country mile.

This cleaner you use, is it petroleum ether/naptha?

[The Rooster]

Have no idea, I just know it works.  It's just automotive brake parts cleaner from Advance. 

[J Francho]

When the bearings are sprayed down with brake parts cleaner and then relubed with a SINGLE drop of oil only (and not a heavy one), then that spool will cast a country mile.

This cleaner you use, is it petroleum ether/naptha?

Acetone bath seems to work the best so far.

[.ghoti.]

Rooster, you are now on the right path.

Use a brush to apply grease to the gears. If you see any grease when finished, you've used too much. The gears should simply be shinier than they were when cleaned and ungreased.

I use a soft, kid's toothbrush. These last a lot longer than the artists brushes I used to use.

By the way Mr Franchot, I've found the perfect grease. Got a small 0.5oz sample. I'll have it in all of my reels this year. I'll let you know how it works out. If it does work as the rep stated, I'll give you the contact, or order some for you. I will not buy it for you. It costs about $80 for a 2oz tube.

[J Francho]

$80 for 2 oz.!  I said gold lithium greasse, not grease made from gold!!!   ;D ;D ;D

[BassThumb]

Sounds like I've been using too much grease. :-?