I've been reading up on reel maintenance and while there's tons of information out there, I'm still confused as to what the preferred lube is for non-spool bearings.

 

I'm sure we have plenty of grease users as well as plenty of oil users so please let me know what's your preference and why.

Also, is the recommendation different for spinning reels and baitcasters or does the reel size matter? 

 

If it makes a difference I plan on using TSI321 as my oil and blue Yamalube as my grease along with Cals for drags. 

I use a bath in 80-140 gear oil. It lasts as long as grease and much easier. Pressing the grease into bearings is messy and a pia even with special tools. 

When you say bath do you mean you soak them shields on or off? 

 

After soaking them do you have to set them out so any excess drains before going back in the reel?

 

Thanks for the response! I try to service my own reels but I'll make sure to recommend you to some saltwater coworkers!

I am a tinkerer, so I only use oil in my spool bearings and all others get dipped in TSI 301, which has TSI321 in it.

For spool bearings i have been using TSI321 thinned with electronics grade alcohol at about 7:1. Its held up well and for maintenance between cleanings I usually just give the spool bearings a drop of TSI321. 

 

I guess my bigger concern is making sure the other bearings that aren't as easy to access don't go dry. I've also heard grease in non-spool bearings makes reels feel smoother. 

Last question for anyone using grease. Do you use grease on all bearings including levelwind, handles, or oil on some? 

3 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

When you say bath do you mean you soak them shields on or off? 

 

After soaking them do you have to set them out so any excess drains before going back in the reel?

 

Thanks for the response! I try to service my own reels but I'll make sure to recommend you to some saltwater coworkers!

No need to ever open a bearing. Just a dip they don’t need to soak. I lay them on a towel to drain the excess. 

Thanks! I think I'll give the gear oil a shot. 

*Update*

 

I tried gear oil and idk if I used the wrong kind but all i can tell you is that Super Lube Gear Oil ISO460 is a pain to clean! Its supposed to be the equivalent of 85w-140. 

 

Anyhow I discovered two things

 

1. I do not like gear oil on bearings and when used on spinning reel pinion gear support bearings it will likely get into the anti-reverse causing you all kinds of issues (trust me)

 

2. Although the most recommended cleaner on this forum seems to be lighter fluid, when trying to clean out that gear oil from the bearings it did not work. I also attempted to use carb cleaner ... that didn't work. As a last resort I reached for a can of MAF cleaner that I had lying around and WOW ... that stuff freed the bearings right up.

Yes excess needs to be drained well from spinner pinion support bearings to not interfere with the AR. Gear oil should be much easier to clean out than grease. 

On 1/7/2020 at 2:09 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I use a bath in 80-140 gear oil. It lasts as long as grease and much easier. Pressing the grease into bearings is messy and a pia even with special tools. 

Thanks. I will try that next time.  I’ve got 2 qts of 90w sitting around from a old project and was thinking what I could do with it.  I used Lucas reel oil this time but, I like doing studies on stuff like this. 

I failed to mention initially and another poster found out the hard way: if you oil a spinning reel pinion bearing, drain it well or the oil can leak out and foul the AR. 

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I failed to mention initially and another poster found out the hard way: if you oil a spinning reel pinion bearing, drain it well or the oil can leak out and foul the AR. 

Lesson learned. 

 

I also learned I actually prefer the hollow "skateboard" feel you get when oiling all bearings instead of greasing them or using gear oil. 

59 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Lesson learned. 

 

I also learned I actually prefer the hollow "skateboard" feel you get when oiling all bearings instead of greasing them or using gear oil. 

Yes, I sometimes have to ask customers what they consider “smooth”. Some like a super free “airy” feel like you, others prefer the “buttery” feel you get from the heavier lubes which is my default system. 

Im sure the difference when done by a professional is night and day also

3 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Im sure the difference when done by a professional is night and day also

Mike's been in the business for a while and from what others have reported, does a bang-up job.

 

But also remember - years back he was just as 'clueless' as anyone else...he just learned, trained and practiced until he was good enough to start his own business doing this.

 

There's plenty of vids out on Youtube - some done by other professionals - showing how to service reels. Everyone CAN learn to do it as good as the pros...just depends on if you WANT to or not.

 

@Delaware Valley Tackle

I’m the first to admit it ain’t rocket science nor magic. On the other hand it’s not for everyone. Lots of “got-chas” and just when you think you’ve seen them all....

My reels do double duty salt and fresh each day so i pack the gears with pennsoil marine ..and use remoil on bearings im OCD about bearings so i overdo them ....