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Posts: 25
| Has anyone done a ceramic bearing upgrade? If so was there any advantages like longer casts, smoother retrives. Any input would be helpfull. I bought a used reel at a good price but it was full of sand. So I want to replace the bearings not shur if I should use oem or get the ceramic ones. The reel is a 300te. |
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Posts: 1743
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I am curious about bearing upgrades for Revos and C3's as well. |
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Posts: 127
| There's really no benefit to using non-oem bearings for the frame bearings as they are typically greased anyways.
I have used BOCA orange seal ABEC 7 bearings and ABEC 5 bearings for the spool bearings and like them. A drop of oil is all that is needed, and they may sound loud while casting, but that is just part of using ceramics. The benefit to the ceramic bearings (either ABEC 5 or ABEC 7) is that they typically have less friction, and thus allow for a better free spool (ie longer casts).
The thing is that it their benefit is not realized as often on 300+ size reels, or with larger lures, as the weight of the lure casting, and the weight of the spool+line are the overriding factors on casting ease/distance. Does it make a difference, yeah, but it is not as noticable as say a 50 or 100 size reel when casting weights less than 3/8oz.
I have them installed on a Curado 300, Conquest 400, and 700TE. I think it is noticable on the Curado, especially when casting lighter lures, but on the 400 and especially the 700, the effect is diminished.
Note: It is sometimes cheaper to get ABEC 5 bearings as replacements instead of OEM shimano bearings. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | On muskie reels U will not see much of any improvement over stock bearings. Ceramics are a must if U are pitching lures under 1/4oz, then U will see a big difference over stock bearings. Ceramics are very loud, I use ABEC 5 or7 S.Steel bearings in my muskie reels, U can get a set for under $20.00. Bearings in your muskie reels need to be cleaned once a year, so take them out and flush them with carb cleaner or brake cleaner then soak them in a small jar of Acetone over night and then use a can of spray air and blow dry them. If you are casting lures under 4oz then use 1 (ONE) drop of Hot Sauce Oil per bearing, DO NOT OVER OIL !! If the bearings are rusty do not clean them, replace them !!!!!!!
If I'm casting baits over 5oz I use Hot Sauce Grease in my spool bearings on that reel because I don't have to relube for months, as with oil U should reoil once a month. ABEC 5 or 7 S.Steel bearings cost under $20.00 a set, where as Ceramics will cost well over $30.00 a set and are loud.
RStien321 is right most of the time ABEC 5-7 S.Steel bearings are cheaper then OEM stock bearings that have no ABEC ratings.
Here is a tip for SALTIST reels, if U are backlashing alot, Take the spool bearing out, clean them and Grease them and reinstall, that should slow down the spool speed alittle to keep the reel from backlashing and U will not lose any casting distance with lures over 5oz. |
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