I'm doing some yearly maintenance on some reels and a few of them have some bearings on their way out. Specifically the ones supporting the pinion and the one above the antireverse (both are size 8x12x3.5mm on my reels). Looking up the part number or ordering through Boca it's like 10-15 bucks a pop. I've used cheap RC bearings for levelwinds and handle knobs before with good luck but not sure about these. Has anyone replaced there's and had good luck with cheap ones? Spool bearings I don't mind biting the bullet for but these just seem unnecessary to drop 60 bucks on 4. 

check seller hprbearings on ebay.  

You don't have to buy Boca or VXB to get good bearings.  

He should have them buy size, also by reel model, stainless, shielded, hybrid ceramic,, etc.    

If you're looking for heavy duty drive bearings, you probably want stainless shielded, Abec 5 or 7.  

I've bought sets of 3 Abec 7 unshielded stainless from him for $25, and for spool bearings in Abu surf reel, a full zirconia ceramic pair for $35 (VXB wants $90 for one bearing).    

He specializes in reels, also sells carbontex drags, inexpensive upgrades like worm shaft bearings to replace bushings for $8.  

He sells full hybrid ceramic conversions by reel model.  

 

Just found his website - google HPR Bearings.  

 

Another good bearing supplier (by reel and size) is RC Bearings (google)

 

A third source, used by many friends, Fast Eddy Bearings (google)

 

answering out of turn, below, shielded bearings come lubed, and lube has a finite life - it's a good idea to swap out with cost-effective bearings if you're going to the trouble to rebuild a mileage reel.  

Edited December 23, 20205 yr by bulldog1935

Not from experience, but just bearing know-how, I'd say just use what you feel is a "good" bearing. Not a "high-end" bearing that you may spring for on a spool bearing.

 

I gotta ask - please fill us in on why these bearings need replacement. Age, dirt, or water exposure?

 

 

Karl

33 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

I'm doing some yearly maintenance on some reels and a few of them have some bearings on their way out. Specifically the ones supporting the pinion and the one above the antireverse (both are size 8x12x3.5mm on my reels). Looking up the part number or ordering through Boca it's like 10-15 bucks a pop. I've used cheap RC bearings for levelwinds and handle knobs before with good luck but not sure about these. Has anyone replaced there's and had good luck with cheap ones? Spool bearings I don't mind biting the bullet for but these just seem unnecessary to drop 60 bucks on 4. 

 

What reel are you wanting to work on?  

 

I have replaced a few of these on some Shimano reels.  I have been ordering them from Shimano parts' website.   They have been somewhat better than the bearings that come with the reels when new, $6.11.

Just now, FishTank said:

 

What reel are you wanting to work on?  

 

I have replaced a few of these on some Shimano reels.  I have been ordering them from Shimano parts' website.   They have been somewhat better than the bearings that come with the reels when new, $6.11.

Various Daiwa reels mostly, some Tatulas, Fuegos, Lexa. 

13 minutes ago, diehardbassfishing said:

Not from experience, but just bearing know-how, I'd say just use what you feel is a "good" bearing. Not a "high-end" bearing that you may spring for on a spool bearing.

 

I gotta ask - please fill us in on why these bearings need replacement. Age, dirt, or water exposure?

 

 

Karl

I'm sure it's a mixture of everything. And it's not like they're rusted to hell, just a slight bit of roughness but I like to nip it in the butt before it gets worse in the middle of a fishing season. 

3 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Various Daiwa reels mostly, some Tatulas, Fuegos, Lexa. 

 

The Shimano bearing should be the same size as you listed above.   It's part BNT3927.  You can check it on Boca's website.

 

https://www.bocabearings.com/fishing-reel-bearing-tips-advice/shimano-fishing-reel-bearing-cross-reference

 

Here is Shimano's site for reference.  They have free shipping as well. 

 

https://fishshop.shimano.com/collections/ant70ahg

 

30 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

check seller hprbearings on ebay.  

You don't have to buy Boca or VXB to get good bearings.  

He should have them buy size, also by reel model, stainless, shielded, hybrid ceramic,, etc.    

If you're looking for heavy duty drive bearings, you probably want stainless shielded, Abec 5 or 7.  

I've bought sets of 3 Abec 7 unshielded stainless from him for $25, and for spool bearings in Abu surf reel, a full zirconia ceramic pair for $35 (VXB wants $90 for one bearing).    

He specializes in reels, also sells carbontex drags, inexpensive upgrades like worm shaft bearings to replace bushings for $8.  

He sells full hybrid ceramic conversions by reel model.  

 

Just found his website - google HPR Bearings.  

 

Another good bearing supplier (by reel and size) is RC Bearings (google)

 

A third source, used by many friends, Fast Eddy Bearings (google)

Very helpful thank you! 

11 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Various Daiwa reels mostly, some Tatulas, Fuegos, Lexa. 

 

Boca has the ABEC5 Ceramic for $12 and there is a coupon code for 35% off> ROLLVEMBER35

@bulldog1935 I'm gonna go with the RC Bearings they have some of the size I need in stainless for 2 bucks a pop. Gonna order 4 for now and see how I like them.