I cleaned out a Curado 70 after the season ended that really needed it, broke it down to the frame, etc. I removed the shields on all the frame bearings, flushed them, and packed one side of the bearing with Shimano Ace RB 2 star drag grease. The reel is smooth but a little too stiff feeling as I crank. I crank it every so often as it sits on my desk at home to work in the grease but I feel it is too stiff like I added too much grease. I know you all could recommend different products but I'd like to stick with what I've got.
What do you all recommend for the amount of grease I pack the bearings with? Would a pinhead size amount of grease worked into the bearing be too little? Could I thin down the grease with some bantam oil? I plan to remove the shields again off the frame bearings, clean, and relube them this weekend.
Greasing frame bearings
Re: Greasing frame bearings
I don't use shimano grease or oil....but can answer based on servicing a few hundred pounds of reels over the years.
The handle shaft support bearing for saltwater reels is what I call the bastard bearing.
It always seems to be the one that rusts and it's a pain to get too in some reels.
((so it's always a bearing that I pay special attention to fresh or salt))
Since it's connected in a 1:1 ratio with the handle. It can be greased and shouldn't make the reel too sluggish.
It can however make it not continue to spin when you spin the handle and let go. While table top fishing/ daydreaming
I grease them. On my freshwater baitcasters I use corrosion x grease thinned with corrosion x oil.
For saltwater reels I tend to just pack em with straight grease.
I pack both sides of the bearing full
"X ship" or frame side pinion support bearings for fw reels I use TSI 321. Handle sideplate pinion support bearings I use the same
For saltwater reels I go cut corrosion x grease/ oil
Lately i've been experimenting with Aqua shield grease cut with corrosion x (aldebaran bfs xg and a few other new reels) Diggin the results
The handle shaft support bearing for saltwater reels is what I call the bastard bearing.
It always seems to be the one that rusts and it's a pain to get too in some reels.
((so it's always a bearing that I pay special attention to fresh or salt))
Since it's connected in a 1:1 ratio with the handle. It can be greased and shouldn't make the reel too sluggish.
It can however make it not continue to spin when you spin the handle and let go. While table top fishing/ daydreaming
I grease them. On my freshwater baitcasters I use corrosion x grease thinned with corrosion x oil.
For saltwater reels I tend to just pack em with straight grease.
I pack both sides of the bearing full
"X ship" or frame side pinion support bearings for fw reels I use TSI 321. Handle sideplate pinion support bearings I use the same
For saltwater reels I go cut corrosion x grease/ oil
Lately i've been experimenting with Aqua shield grease cut with corrosion x (aldebaran bfs xg and a few other new reels) Diggin the results
Re: Greasing frame bearings
After thoroughly cleaning, I have begun to dip my frame bearings in TSI 301, gently blow to speed the solvent evaporation leaving TSI 321. When I did pack them I used Yamaha Blue Marine grease or Super Lube.
Re: Greasing frame bearings
I just started dipping mine in a 90wt lucas oil full synthetic gear oil. Have it in in a TD-Z and a Steez SV right now. Smooth as butter and effortless to spin. Going to be trying 321 once it arrives to compare.
Re: Greasing frame bearings
Mike son wrote:I know you all could recommend different products but I'd like to stick with what I've got.
What do you all recommend for the amount of grease I pack the bearings with?
I put about a pin size head amount of grease in each bearing and worked it in by turning the bearing on a dowel. Put it back together and it's smooth as silk. The problem I had before was that I put too much grease into each bearing and the resistance when cranking the handle was too 'stiff' while fishing.