How do I flush the bearings? do I just soak them in acetone?

 

I am going to take the plunge today and flush the bearings from a 200E citica.

 

Any tips, suggestions, etc ?

 

To be more specific, can someone give me a detailed report, from start to finish, of how you flush bearings?

There are lots of threads on this, just do a quick search and you will find great info on it.

Here's one from WRB

 

Put the bearings in a small glass jar of acetone with a lid and let sit over night.
Place the jar filled with acetone and the bearings in a larger cup with water so the jar floats, then use a ultra sonic tooth brush in the cup with water and run for 2 minutes. Empty out the acetone and repeat if needed until the acetone is clear. Place the bearings on a clean coth to dry out.
Next lubricate the bears lightly with a spray of BreakFree or other speed oil.
To check the bearing use a small diameter tapered wood dowel, Testors model paint brush works good, and spin the bearing. Should spin freely, no roughness.
If the bearing still spins roughly change it or try spinning the bearing in the lubricant using a Dremal motor with the wood dowel about 10 to 30 seconds. If that doesn't work it's time for new grade 5 bearings.
Tom

You don't have to do the ultrasonic thing, but I would soak overnight, then in the morning, take the bearing out and let it dry for a minute, then put it on a wood dowel or a pencil tip or even a cue tip, and spin it for 1 minute to stir up any leftover gunk. Then put it back in the acetone for maybe an hour longer.

Then take it out after an hour, spin it for a minute on the same wood dowel or whatever you used, and put it in rubbing alcohol (to remove the film left behind by acetone) for 30 mins or so. Then take it out, and let it dry for 5-10 mins on each side, and lubricate with 1 drop of your preferred oil.

 

Good luck.

Here's one from WRB

 

You don't have to do the ultrasonic thing, but I would soak overnight, then in the morning, take the bearing out and let it dry for a minute, then put it on a wood dowel or a pencil tip or even a cue tip, and spin it for 1 minute to stir up any leftover gunk. Then put it back in the acetone for maybe an hour longer.

Then take it out after an hour, spin it for a minute on the same wood dowel or whatever you used, and put it in rubbing alcohol (to remove the film left behind by acetone) for 30 mins or so. Then take it out, and let it dry for 5-10 mins on each side, and lubricate with 1 drop of your preferred oil.

 

Good luck.

Thanks for the help. I wondered about how long, and how to dry.

50/50 simple green and water works just fine..

acetone is pretty harsh, but works along with CRC brake fluid..

Over night soaking is over kill. Your betetr off to soak for 5min swish and swap fluid. Repeat until solvent remains clear. Dry well, lube and reinstall.

Use a Bearing Blaster.  Bearing Blaster is pretty neat tool.  It has two parts one to hold the bearing in place and the other one is to cover the bearing edges which has a hole where you you stick in those CRC/Carb Cleaner/ nossle/straw.

 

Use a CRC brake cleaner w/ bearing blaster to blast out those gunk.

 

 The bearing would be sandwich between the bottom plastic and the top plastic.   Use your  hand  to press down the cover while the other hand sprays in the cleaner.  The force of the compress cleaner will blast the cleaner into the bearing.   

Should look like this when preparing.


I place the bearing plaster in a bowl catch all the excess cleaner when flushing the bearings.  

I soak mine in acetone for a few minutes then use my air compressor and blow them out. I keep repeating this until i get all the old dirty grease blown out. Usually takes me five or six times to get it all blown out. I dont see how you can get grease out of a sealed bearing by just soaking it. When i get all the grease out and the bearing spins free and smooth i put one drop of oil on the shields and let it soak through the gaps.

This is just for the spool bearings. The pinion bearing and main shaft support bearing (citica e has a bushing) should be packed with grease. You can buy a small bearing packer to get grease into shielded bearings.

If you use a compressor make sure it has a good filter so your not blowing moisture and contaminates into your bearings. The little cans of compressed air will work also.

Thanks for all the replys. When you guys say dry them, what does that mean? Let them air dry?

Thanks for all the replys. When you guys say dry them, what does that mean? Let them air dry?

or air compressor.

Use a Bearing Blaster.  Bearing Blaster is pretty neat tool.  It has two parts one to hold the bearing in place and the other one is to cover the bearing edges which has a hole where you you stick in those CRC/Carb Cleaner/ nossle/straw.

 

Use a CRC brake cleaner w/ bearing blaster to blast out those gunk.

 

 The bearing would be sandwich between the bottom plastic and the top plastic.   Use your  hand  to press down the cover while the other hand sprays in the cleaner.  The force of the compress cleaner will blast the cleaner into the bearing.   

Should look like this when preparing.

I place the bearing plaster in a bowl catch all the excess cleaner when flushing the bearings.  

 

Where did you find this fine contraption?  Auto parts store maybe........?

Where did you find this fine contraption?  Auto parts store maybe........?

Got it from online store.. just do a search on bearing blaster..like rpmrcproducts.com

I've done the overnight acetone soak, the bearings do spin a long time but are also louder. Wouldn't it be better to remove the shields before you soak?

The solvent will chemically remove it from the metal so it still cleans it out when the shields are on, but it probably would be best to remove the shields.

Got it from online store.. just do a search on bearing blaster..like rpmrcproducts.com

 

NIFTY tool.  Looks like I have an order to place today...

 

 

 

EDIT:  Order placed !

Acetone and lighter fluid both work very well, but both are toxic, highly flammable, and they stink. Simple green works nicely, is biodegradable and smells pleasant. Get the shields off, if you can. A 50% solution is good enough. Soak and swish for about 5 minutes. Repeat with fresh simple green. Rinse with boiling water, and air dry before applying the lube of your choice.

 

Many people make way too much of this. I've read too may comments about this solvent or that solvent or the other solvent being the best because they leave no residue. Well, there ain't no such thing as a solvent which leaves no residue behind. Whatever you use will leave some residue behind. Don't worry about it. Just get your bearings as clean as you can, lube them properly, and go fishing.

 

I used the bearing blaster with both carb cleaner and brake cleaner; and it does a good job. But, you'll be using toxic, flammable chemicals, and you'll have to use it outdoors, with rubber gloves and eye protection, if you're smart about it. The stuff flies everywhere.

NIFTY tool.  Looks like I have an order to place today...

 

 

 

EDIT:  Order placed !

 Ditto

Acetone and lighter fluid both work very well, but both are toxic, highly flammable, and they stink. Simple green works nicely, is biodegradable and smells pleasant. Get the shields off, if you can. A 50% solution is good enough. Soak and swish for about 5 minutes. Repeat with fresh simple green. Rinse with boiling water, and air dry before applying the lube of your choice.

 

Many people make way too much of this. I've read too may comments about this solvent or that solvent or the other solvent being the best because they leave no residue. Well, there ain't no such thing as a solvent which leaves no residue behind. Whatever you use will leave some residue behind. Don't worry about it. Just get your bearings as clean as you can, lube them properly, and go fishing.

 

I used the bearing blaster with both carb cleaner and brake cleaner; and it does a good job. But, you'll be using toxic, flammable chemicals, and you'll have to use it outdoors, with rubber gloves and eye protection, if you're smart about it. The stuff flies everywhere.

Thanks for the input.

 

Regarding the simple green, I have some, but it comes in a spray bottle similar to windex, 409, Fantastic and those types of cleaners. Is that what you and several others are referring to when you say a 50/50 mix with water???

Since I just got off the phone with Gary, and recommended the stuff...

 

Try this, for just about everything.  I presoak greased bearings in this, and finish with acetone.  I've found it is non corrosive to just about every plastic I've come across.  It's great on those nasty, gunked up parts.  Use straight from the bottle, but WEAR GLOVES!  It's rough on the skin.

 

http://www.lowes.com/pd_166923-24296-PS48532_0__?productId=3377990

Thanks for the input.

 

Regarding the simple green, I have some, but it comes in a spray bottle similar to windex, 409, Fantastic and those types of cleaners. Is that what you and several others are referring to when you say a 50/50 mix with water???

 

That's the stuff shooter. You can also use it full strength, but wear gloves. Prolonged exposure will make your hands peel; just like you get a sunburn. 50% doesn't seem to bother my skin.

 

I'm gonna try what John recommended as well.

That's the stuff shooter. You can also use it full strength, but wear gloves. Prolonged exposure will make your hands peel; just like you get a sunburn. 50% doesn't seem to bother my skin.

 

I'm gonna try what John recommended as well.

Thank you.

The stuff I linked to works great on rubber floor mats and gets white letters on tires looking new, too.

The stuff I linked to works great on rubber floor mats and gets white letters on tires looking new, too.

Good to know! Multi-purpose is good.

I discovered the stuff when my dad used it to clean the scum off the hull of my aluminum boat. It was literally a spray on, wipe off ordeal.

i killed two birds with one stone. bought my wife an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner under the pretense of "i want your diamond ring to really sparkle". then, when she's not looking, i steal it way, fill it with 100% simple green and, voila! wife is happy, i'm happy.