Alan,
Thank you for helping me open and lubing my bearing on my Pro Gear. I decided to open the bearings and clean out my Okuma CTs and my LD Pfleuger and lubed them with CorrosionX. The results
Okuma CT-30C and CT30CS: Before: Average 6 seconds freespool.
After, average 40 seconds.
Pfleuger Contender 30: Before: 3-5 seconds freespool
After: 15-20 seconds. This was the reel that would not give me a "freespool" when my drags were set to 10#. Well, there was more to it. This reel is designed to be trolled for sure. There are a lot of friction surfaces in the reel and I cleaned off all of those greased area and applied CorrosionX. Well, free spool did not change. ??? ??? ??? So, I tried shimming the spool bearings, and that didn't work. Well, I discovered that my drag plate was not cleanly separating from the drag washer. Tried shimming this as well to increase the separation of the drag plate. The result, max 2# drag. ??? ??? ??? Hmmm, then I pulled all of the shims. I decided increased the uncoiled length of the spring used to separate the drag plate and the drag washer. Presto, freespool with max 14# drag. ;D ;D I am so stoked. I can toss some jig if I need to.
I am now on a quest to work on all my bearing on all of my reels. This stuff is addicting.
Another epic learning experience with reel results.
Thanks again Alan.
guys, bryan now also knows how to open up the smallest bearings. you have to use a cutting wheel from a dremmel and notch the outer race and cut up the retaining ring into 3 pieces. worth it, though.
I'll open up my reel and take a pick of the bearings tonight for all of you to see what Alan is talking about.
(http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae348/hawaiiansurfinboy/Pro%20Gear%20Wahoo%20Special/IMG00603.jpg)
Here's a picture of the cut bearing for your reference. This bearing's retaining ring was so difficult to come out, 2 another addition cut was needed and finally the retaining ring came out.