I have several of these reels, and decided to clean them up internally. My question is that some of the bearing sets on the handle seem to be sealed. When I look a both sides of the bearings, you can not see the actual bearings. So is this possible? If it is I assume you can not clean and oil these? I looked at all the other bearings and you can see them in their cases, which I oiled. One last question. There is a set of what looks like needle bearings that sit in its own sleeve which  go under the spool on the shaft. These do come apart and I can clean them. Do you guys do this and then replace and grease?

 

Thanks for any help.

Cadman... spend some time on Youtube.  There are several pretty good videos dealing with spinning reel maintenance.  Come back and ask questions after you've watched a couple.

 

 

oe

The "needle-like" bearing is the anti-reverse bearing. Be careful cleaning that one. Improperly lubing it can cause your anti-reverse to slip. The bearings in the knobs are just shielded bearings. This is pretty typical and most bearings come this way. There are ways to take off the shields, but it's not necessary. They can be cleaned, but it takes a little more elbow grease. I usually use my dremel and run them real fast in a jar of 50/50 engine degreaser and water. Seems to clean them in about 30 seconds; one drop of oil and they spin like brand new.

I've got 3 supremes, a medalist and an arbor.  Over the last 4 years or so I have only oiled the handle bearings and the line roller bearing, all of the reels are perfect.  I would suggest "don't fix it if it ain't broke".

  I would suggest "don't fix it if it ain't broke".

 

Sir... I appreciate your subtlety.

 

 

oe

x

 

The "needle-like" bearing is the anti-reverse bearing. Be careful cleaning that one. Improperly lubing it can cause your anti-reverse to slip. The bearings in the knobs are just shielded bearings. This is pretty typical and most bearings come this way. There are ways to take off the shields, but it's not necessary. They can be cleaned, but it takes a little more elbow grease. I usually use my dremel and run them real fast in a jar of 50/50 engine degreaser and water. Seems to clean them in about 30 seconds; one drop of oil and they spin like brand new.

x2 on the AR bearing. Unless you like learning by trial and error taking the reel apart and putting it back together a few times, just leave it if it's working fine. Any amount of over doing it on this bearing will cause a major headache when your drag is pulling and the AR doesn't lock.  It will sound/feel like your reel is broke but it's just a matter of too much grease/oil.

 

you can clean the handle bearings. pop the tap on the handle knob off on a screw will be under the cap. unscrew it and kinda pull at the same time. either the bearing/bushing will stay on the handle or they will be wedged in the knob. just push them out and clean/oil them. they make take a little more cleaning but it's very easy.