TackleTour

Just picked up an SLX and will probably replace the drive shaft bushing with a bearing at some point, although I had two Citicas with the bushing for years with no problem. What would the bearing number be if I decide to replace the bushing? Thanks in advance. Can't wait to try this little fella on the water. It is kind of like my Curado 70's.

Its a 5x9x3 bearing

BNT4194 is the part number you can use.

Ah, thank you Dan.

I have tried this on my slx and the BNT4194 does not fit. The cup that holds the bushing is rounded (the bushing is as well), so a bearing will not fit in that space.

Has Shimano changed the design?

The frame may simply not accept a bearing. I have not tried to do a swap. I just provided a bearing number based on the dimensions someone else provided you. Typically that is the bearing that replaces bushings on previous models.

carter wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:02 am

I have tried this on my slx and the BNT4194 does not fit. The cup that holds the bushing is rounded (the bushing is as well), so a bearing will not fit in that space.

Has Shimano changed the design?

Shimano does that to a number of reels, and has for several yrs now. It's an underhanded way to keep you from buying the less expensive model reel and practically making it the same bearing count as the more expensive model (in this case, like the curado). Thus was done on several iterations between the curado and citica siblings, as well. Over the yrs, this practice has made Shimano reels a little less tuner-friendly imo. Shimano still makes a solid product, though.

Ive changed all the bushings out for bearings on my SLX with no issues.

Just put my bearing in and no problem

I had the same issue with one of my Stiles. After cleaning out the bearing cup and working with it for a few, it fit fine. Im thinking it had something to do with the paint thickness.