21 Saltist MQ - Line Roller Upgrade?

[el_Capitan_87]

Does anyone know if the Saltist MQ line roller bushing can be easily upgraded to bearings? I'm specifically looking at a 6000 size but it shouldn't really matter for the purpose of this post.

I've looked at the schematics and it's unclear to me whether it's possible to do a direct swap with the bushings to bearings.

It may not even be necessary, but for the price point and everything else the reel has going for it, it feels like a kick in the guts to be using a bushing in the line roller.

[ReelClean]

From a maintenance/repair POV, I don't really have a problem with a bushing LRB.  As long as they are kept lubed up I rarely have to replace them, as opposed to regularly struggling to remove rusted up ball bearings without destroying the roller and post.  They usually have a nylon bush on the metal post, which means no chance of the roller getting "welded" on.
cheers
Steve

[el_Capitan_87]

From a maintenance/repair POV, I don't really have a problem with a bushing LRB.  As long as they are kept lubed up I rarely have to replace them, as opposed to regularly struggling to remove rusted up ball bearings without destroying the roller and post.  They usually have a nylon bush on the metal post, which means no chance of the roller getting "welded" on.
cheers
Steve

I hear you Steve, from a maintenance POV it's an advantage. That's not the reason why we buy more expensive reels though and these newer Daiwa MQ reels have really upped their game with silky smoothness and the actual user experience.

But your point does raise the question of it's even worth upgrading unless you can have rubber seals like the Saragosa or Magseal like the higher end Daiwa's to prevent corrosion.

I'm still curious to know if anyone has undertaken this project before.

[ReelClean]

From a maintenance/repair POV, I don't really have a problem with a bushing LRB.  As long as they are kept lubed up I rarely have to replace them, as opposed to regularly struggling to remove rusted up ball bearings without destroying the roller and post.  They usually have a nylon bush on the metal post, which means no chance of the roller getting "welded" on.
cheers
Steve

I hear you Steve, from a maintenance POV it's an advantage. That's not the reason why we buy more expensive reels though and these newer Daiwa MQ reels have really upped their game with silky smoothness and the actual user experience.

But your point does raise the question of it's even worth upgrading unless you can have rubber seals like the Saragosa or Magseal like the higher end Daiwa's to prevent corrosion.

I'm still curious to know if anyone has undertaken this project before.

Saragosa bodies are great, the LRBs are as bad as any other Shimano. Magoil degrades after a few years and ends up as bad (if not worse) than a standard LRB because it is basically surfactant coated rust in an oil suspension.  Shame about the timing, because I had a Saltist MQ in last week and could have measured it for you