For years, I've loosened the screw slightly that holds the roller in place, put a small drop of oil on this area, tightened the screw back down and wiped off the line roller on my spinning reels. I havnt had any problems doing this. Is this the correct method for oiling the line roller on a spinning reel? Yesterday, a guy told me this was wrong. How else would you oil the line roller on your reel?

I'm assuming this is a spinning reel here.

 

All mine have bushings, not bearings - if I need to lube the roller, I pull it all the way off, clean the bushing and the inside of the roller, reassemble loosely, then a scant drop of oil on the bushing before tightening down. I also check to see if the bushing is smooth - you can get crud between the bushing and roller that can 'etch' the bushing - some polishing paper (7000 grit or higher sandpaper) may fix it, or you may need to replace the bushing.

 

I think it'd be the same if you have a bearing in there. Getting it clean is as important as oiling it.

4 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

All mine have bushings, not bearings

All of mine had bushings which were replaced with bearings. IMO this is a worthwhile upgrade on budget spinning reels. 

 

As far as cleaning goes, disassembly as outlined above and standard bearing cleaning with a drop of oil does the trick.

Definitely take it apart though and at a minimum clean any parts the bearing/bushing makes contact with.

6 hours ago, Mobasser said:

For years, I've loosened the screw slightly that holds the roller in place, put a small drop of oil on this area, tightened the screw back down and wiped off the line roller on my spinning reels. I havnt had any problems doing this. Is this the correct method for oiling the line roller on a spinning reel? Yesterday, a guy told me this was wrong. How else would you oil the line roller on your reel?

I bet he has only 20 yards  of line on his reel also...a line roller that ROLLS PERFECT is detrimental to a spinning reel its a major part to a spinning reels performance

1 hour ago, Maxximus Redneckus said:

I bet he has only 20 yards  of line on his reel also...a line roller that ROLLS PERFECT is detrimental to a spinning reel its a major part to a spinning reels performance

If your line roller aint rolling your spinning reel aint working..

38 minutes ago, Maxximus Redneckus said:

If your line roller aint rolling your spinning reel aint working..

My spinning reels have worked perfectly for almost 40yrs. I clean, maintain them myself, including the line roller. I was only wondering how others oiled the roller. Thanks for the helpful comments though?

I never thought about taking the line roller apart and cleaning it. Guess I will have to check mine out and see what they need.

11 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I'm assuming this is a spinning reel here.

 

All mine have bushings, not bearings - if I need to lube the roller, I pull it all the way off, clean the bushing and the inside of the roller, reassemble loosely, then a scant drop of oil on the bushing before tightening down. I also check to see if the bushing is smooth - you can get crud between the bushing and roller that can 'etch' the bushing - some polishing paper (7000 grit or higher sandpaper) may fix it, or you may need to replace the bushing.

 

I think it'd be the same if you have a bearing in there. Getting it clean is as important as oiling it.

I think you've got the best plan on this one. My method has worked, but I never actually took it apart, and got it super clean. Thanks again

What you’re doing is fine for interim diy care. The orientation of parts in the roller assembly is important. You may or may not be comfortable disassembling.