Bearings question

[thunnus69]

I recently picked up a penn international 30tw that Cal two speeded and blue printed.  All bearing do not have removeable shields.  They spin fine but I would prefer to rip the shields out, properly grease them and reinstall without shields.  Is this not a good idea? I am trying to avoid buying new bearings if I don't have to.
-Joe

[alantani]

I recently picked up a penn international 30tw that Cal two speeded and blue printed.  All bearing do not have removeable shields.  They spin fine but I would prefer to rip the shields out, properly grease them and reinstall without shields.  Is this not a good idea? I am trying to avoid buying new bearings if I don't have to.
-Joe

generally, i like spool bearings open, cleaned, lubed and installed open.  non-spool bearings i like to see packed with grease and the shields left on.  if you have a shield held in by a retaining ring, they carefully pick out the retaining ring, carefully remove the shield, pack the bearing with grease and replace the shields to hold in the grease.  if you have a shield that is pressed in, then the only way to remove the shield is to pry it and that ruins the shield.  a bearing packer is your best bet at that point, but bearing packers are expensive. 

[thunnus69]

Thanks Alan.  I was hoping to use the grease fitting you recently sent me.  I have used a fish hook to take springs out and remove shields.  Unfortunately these do not have a spring.  I may end up replacing the bearings with removable shields.  Where's the best place to get a full set?

[alantani]

smoothdrag.com and bocabearings.com are the best places. 

[Tiddlerbasher]

I don't service that many reels (not like some here) BUT I have found that Alan's bearing packer is the Bees Knees
It doesn't matter if the bearing has shields, or not, it will still get the grease in there.
Consider it an investment for the future.

This assumes the Boss still has some

[alantani]

yup, got a bunch.  send a pm if interested.  thanks!