Squeaky penn 722 after through greasing and lubing

[Fishgolfman]

I have two penn 722 that are very smooth running after greasing gears and lubing. Squeaky Sounds like from rotor area. Remove the rotor and still squeaks a bit.  Do you think its bearings or pinion? Ready to replace bearings on pinion. If i replace what type of bearings penn original or ceramic aftermarket?

[foakes]

It would be unusual for even worn bearings to squeak after lubing.  But probably not impossible.

And, a properly lubed pinion might squeak — but it is not common.

As to steel or ceramic bearings — I haven't ever used ceramics — but this is a somewhat lightweight reel that could benefit with C-Bearings.  For me, it would depend on price and potential longevity.

Ceramic might be a little smoother?

Best, Fred

[jurelometer]

I will definitely defer to Fred on spinning reel debugging, but think it is worth mentioning that in ball bearing terms, nothing is rotating very fast or under much load on a spinning reel, so there is no performance reason to replace with fancy bearings.

Excluding corrosion, it is pretty hard to wear out the bearings on a spinning reel.  Low radial and axial,load, low RPMs, and not very many hours of operation, even if you fish a lot.  Fred sees more spinners in a  week than I see in a lifetime, so I would go with what he has seen, but unless the bearings are really badly aligned, it seems hard to believe that halfway decent stainless bearings will not last a lifetime (excluding saltwater corrosion).

The point of ceramic bearings in fishing reels is the potential for slightly less rolling resistance ( if you do not lube them, and then they can get noisy), and better saltwater corrosion protection (if you go all ceramic, including the races).
I didn't look up the weight difference, but expect that it should be trivial in terms of overall reel weight for a 722. 

-J

[Midway Tommy]

Lack of maintenance, more or less abuse, can have an adverse effect on ball bearings. I have seen many spinning reels with unshielded bearings, and a few shielded, too, that were full of dirt and sand, not to mention 40+ year old hardened grease. Sometimes when they get that bad you're better off just chucking the old bearing and putting in a new one since they're not that expensive. Most of the time, though, a good soaking in a decent degreaser like lacquer thinner or acetone and healthy blow out with compressed air will take care of lack of maintenance issues. Rusty balls & races are a different story. Those are tough to fix.

[jurelometer]

Good point about dirt and sand Tommy.    Forgot about that.  Wouldn't a grit damaged bearing be rough but not squeaky at spinning reel  RPMs (after cleaning/relube)?

-J

[oc1]

Does it squeek once with every handle turn or once with every rotor rotation?

[Midway Tommy]

Good point about dirt and sand Tommy.    Forgot about that.  Wouldn't a grit damaged bearing be rough but not squeaky at spinning reel  RPMs (after cleaning/relube)?

-J

You are correct. For the life of me I can't figure out what would squeak. ?      Rubbing or scraping sound maybe but there's not much on a spinning reel that would actually squeak unless someone added something plastic or rubber, etc.

[oldmanjoe]

          "   Remove the rotor and still squeaks a bit.   "    I`m thinking the knob ....

[Fishgolfman]

thanks for information and the wisdom! i will probably try,a ceramic and steel as I have two squeaky reels. First,I will pull old bearings and soak as well. I have to get parts anyway from mystic

[Wompus Cat]

          "   Remove the rotor and still squeaks a bit.   "    I`m thinking the knob ....

I am with Joe on this one .
Squirt some WD 40 in the ends of the Knobs and at the bases and I bet your Mouse will vacate the premises.

[Swami805]

My bet is the knob, maybe it was dropped at some point and the shaft is a little tweaked

[Fishgolfman]

Problem solved. Both reels knobs were dry, despite a squirt of oil at end. Only when i took knob and screw off did i see 40 plus years of grime. I little oil and buffing solved the squeaky mouse. Thanks to all.