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Spool Bearings?
#12516048
11/26/17 12:02 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 968
ChampionOwner
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 968 |
I am looking at upgrading the spool bearings in about a dozen of my reels. Anybody have experience with Bca Bearings vs. Hawg Tech?
Last edited by ChampionOwner; 11/26/17 12:04 AM.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12516147
11/26/17 01:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,743
Ranger-188-2007
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,743 |
Boca bearing are worth the $$$.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12516187
11/26/17 01:55 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 968
ChampionOwner
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 968 |
Bocas are 35% off right now as well.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12516341
11/26/17 03:44 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,203
the skipper
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,203 |
Before you spend all that cash you should pull the bearings and take all the shields out of them and really clean them out. I did all mine and it works good. It will get you the same results or extremely close. I didn't do a before and after but I guarantee they cast further and easier.
Last edited by the skipper; 11/26/17 03:32 PM.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12516356
11/26/17 04:00 AM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 268
stringwise
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 268 |
I went down that road and definitely didn't find it to be money well spent. After cleaning and lubing the original bearings thoroughly I went back to them. Hawg Techs are nice but I didn't care for the noise they make. When I attempted to quiet them down some they spun nice but cast distances were about the same as originals.
In general I have found that my nicer reels with stock bearings with outcast cheaper reels with bearing upgrades. YMMV.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12517221
11/27/17 01:22 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 524
PhishWhisperer
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 524 |
I think the real secret to good baitcaster performance is in the cleaning and lubrication of the bearings.
I occasionally read about guys who are disappointed with the casting distance of a brand new reel. It is likely that the bearings were greased or over-oiled during manufacture. I just bought a very popular reel that I found had grease in one of the spool shaft bearings.
My preferred cleaning method is a soak in CRC brake cleaner (methylene chloride) followed by a rinse with a quick spray of the same solvent. Blow dry with a gentle blast of compressed air. (NEVER spin a dry bearing!!!) I like to apply a small drop or two of Royal Purple Synfilm multipurpose lubricant using a precision oiler.
If you fish often it's a good idea to learn to clean and lubricate your reels yourself.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12517232
11/27/17 01:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 22,636
lconn4
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 22,636 |
I've had a couple of my older reels upgraded with boca bearings and it made a big difference in distance and feel.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12517247
11/27/17 01:34 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,480
K.D.
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,480 |
Many moons ago when the upgrade to ABEC-7 was becoming popular some guys did a comparison from factory to ABEC-7 to Ceramic. The results were that ABEC-7 produced a huge return over factory but ceramic wasn't much over ABEC-7.
To save money the ABEC-7 upgrade and the correct amount of oil on each bearing will do wonders for you. Also remember gears get grease and bearings get oil. Most factory reel bearings are swimming in grease so like mentioned above a brand new reel could stand a cleaning and proper lubrication to increase performance
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12517507
11/27/17 06:13 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,884
DKennimer
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,884 |
Great advice above. If you have decent reels, clean the bearings and lightly oil. They will do all you need to do. If some are rusted (highly unlikely if used in freshwater), replace. Most, if not all, new reels are way over-greased and oiled. I tear down any reel that I first acquire.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12517559
11/27/17 12:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,850
jippedgenes
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,850 |
I tried the ABEC-7 in my super old abused curado. MASSIVE difference.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12517986
11/27/17 06:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,896
ezbassin
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,896 |
I upgraded to the Air bearings by Hedgehog studios and it made a huge difference. I like them better than the Bocas. You can find them online at the Tackle Trap, or if you are at lake Fork, Ron @ Reel time rods has them in stock. His shop is located at Popes Landing. He did 6 of my reels and they are awesome. You won't believe the casting distance they make over stock bearings.
Last edited by ezbassin; 11/27/17 07:00 PM.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: ChampionOwner]
#12518035
11/27/17 07:40 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 191
B.Byars
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 191 |
Back when i had a bunch of revos i tried the boca orange seals and did not see that much of a difference between those and clean stock bearings.
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Re: Spool Bearings?
[Re: B.Byars]
#12518300
11/28/17 12:35 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,896
ezbassin
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,896 |
Back when i had a bunch of revos i tried the boca orange seals and did not see that much of a difference between those and clean stock bearings. Exactly, that is why I like the Air bearings much better.
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