How to clean roller clutch?

[FatTuna]

I bought some used Penn spinning reels and one of them has an antireverse that was packed with grease. I tried cleaning it out with some q-tips but it's still slipping. Do you guys have any tips on how to clean it out? Should I use carb cleaner and compressed air?

[Bryan Young]

I have used carb cleanser and compressed air.  But not too strong air...you may blow the bearing right out of the bearing.  I've done that ONCE.

[FatTuna]

Thanks Bryan, I'll remember that.

Do you just leave them dry after or put in some light oil?

[Bryan Young]

I dunk the roller bearing in CorrosionX or apply CorrosionX and let the excess drip out while I work on the reel.  Sometime you have to give the bearing a little tap to get out the excess CorrosionX.

[MarkT]

I've had the rollers fall out of the bearing.  I just put it back together after I've cleaned it all up.  A small rubber band will hold everying in place.

[Tightlines667]

I cleaned one in my sonic cleaner and it seemed to work great. 

[FatTuna]

Thanks guys. I'm going to clean it up tonight and see how it feels.

[FatTuna]

So I soaked the roller clutch in carb cleaner for a bit. I let it dry, then I reinstalled everything, but it is still slipping. It feels better but I'm not content with it. It slips whenever the handle is in a certain position. Is it time to just buy a new one or should I try something else?

[fIsHsTiiCkS]

Check where the roller sits, is anything damages. If one area is slipping it might be bad.

[Bryan Young]

Time to buy a new bearing.

[alantani]

if i try to clean them, i will position the inner tube so that it covers the bottom half of the needles and hit it with carb or brake cleaner, then reposition the inner tube so that it covers the top half of the needles and repeat, then gently hit it with compressed air and finally drizzle in corrosion x or tsi 321.  bear in mind that a single failure generally means that the AR bearing should be replaced.   

[johndtuttle]

If you are desperate to salvage this bearing you might do the soak in White Vinegar overnight or for a few days. A mild acid may remove some build up in a pitted or other area and get it to work again.

BUT, most commonly, if dry of older lube that was gumming it up and it then fails you have a problem with the springs being fatigued or the rollers being pitted etc so they are not gripping properly and it's time to replace it.

Great little devices but temperamental to get all of the rollers to have instant and proper contact with the surface they have to grip.

[Bryan Young]

if i try to clean them, i will position the inner tube so that it covers the bottom half of the needles and hit it with carb or brake cleaner, then reposition the inner tube so that it covers the top half of the needles and repeat, then gently hit it with compressed air and finally drizzle in corrosion x or tsi 321.  bear in mind that a single failure generally means that the AR bearing should be replaced.   

I never though of that...  Good idea to keep needle bearings in.

I recently tried the ultrasonic cleaner...works good but have found that if I'm using the ultrasonic cleaner on the ARB, the needle bearing is usually rusted and pitted, and will need replacing anyway.

[foakes]

In a pinch, cleaning these ARB bearings will work to get the reel functional again.

However, like the above responders have said -- there are usually other remaining slight issues with the bearing after cleaning -- and the best fix is a new bearing lubed with Cx or TSI321.  

Just like new.

Sort of like cleaning, scraping, or sand blasting the spark plugs on your car when doing a tune up -- it works -- but not as good as new ones -- and new plugs are a cheap fix anyway.

Having said this, I however do clean many ARB bearings if they are salvageable.  Ultrasonic cleaner, purple degreaser, 8 minutes, fresh water rinse, blow dry, TSI321 -- ready to go 5 times out of 10 -- and acceptable.

Good luck,

Fred

[FatTuna]

Thanks for all of the replies guys. I'll give it one more go with the techniques suggested. If it doesn't work I'll just get a new one.