Hey all
So I noticed my abu 5600C4 was a little rough and wanted to oil the bearings. But when I opened up the spool bearings they appear totally sealed. How do I get cleaner and eventually oil in there when they are sealed? I could not locate a little wire or anything to remove the seal.
What can I do? I don't really want to buy new ones as I used to be able to refurbish the bearings in this manner with my older abus which were unsealed.
Thanks
Hi Bob,
Alan's post here may be of some assistance - https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=13.0 (https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=13.0).
"...to remove a metal shield that is pressed into the bearing, you need another specialized tool. this is an old screwdriver that I've ground to a nice long point. drive the point in between the shield and the inner race, the pry up the shield. it will be mangled at this point and will have to be discarded. this takes a light touch. drive the point in to far and you will mangle the cage and ruin the bearings."
Let us know how you get on.
Good luck, Justin
I use a fish hook to pry them off.
I have never opened the seal on bearings. I recall seeing a bulletin (from Abec I think), that said it was unnecessary.
Just a comment from far, I have opened sealed bearings, some successfully but a fair percentage not. Unfortunately the ones that you have a problem with are usually the good ones that are still serviceable, this is just Murphy's law. >:(
You need a good sharp and manageable tool to avoid wrecking the cage inside the bearing shield. If the bearing feels bad then by all means open it, not too much to lose and as you say, you can often give them another lease on life.
Or you could use my method and skip opening them.
https://youtube.com/shorts/pFAJlALoN8U?feature=share4
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on July 19, 2023, 11:31:20 AMOr you could use my method and skip opening them.
https://youtube.com/shorts/pFAJlALoN8U?feature=share4
so the turkey baster tip is positioned in the hole of the bearing and pushing water out the sides? what is the liquid?
Quote from: pointbob on July 19, 2023, 01:04:05 PMQuote from: JasonGotaProblem on July 19, 2023, 11:31:20 AMOr you could use my method and skip opening them.
https://youtube.com/shorts/pFAJlALoN8U?feature=share4
so the turkey baster tip is positioned in the hole of the bearing and pushing water out the sides? what is the liquid?
It's pushing the solvent through the bearing because the outer race sits against the curved bottom of the shot glass and the dropper sits against the inner race at the top of the bearing so path of least resistance is through the part we wish to clean out. Twisting the dropper to make the bearing spin then repeating is a good idea. With no shields the bearing is clean in 5 seconds. With shields in place I always run it back and forth for a good 30 seconds (aka repeatedly squeeze and release the bulb), wait a minute or so to let it soak, then repeat.
I use charcoal lighter fluid then alcohol, use compressed air or let it sit to dry a bit then come back with some oil.
yes you can open them and clean them. If they are really rough just replace them. metal shields have a small clip you need to remove or if rubber just pry off. PM if you want more info.
Quote from: Hardy Boy on July 19, 2023, 03:49:08 PMyes you can open them and clean them. If they are really rough just replace them. metal shields have a small clip you need to remove or if rubber just pry off. PM if you want more info.
thank you. I'm actually in van bc
I use a sharp skinny fish hook and a mini vice grips to hold the bearing. Half the battle is getting a good grip on the bearing. I've ruined very few doing it. I use carburetor cleaner in an aresoil can over a small Metal cup to catch the run off. Do it outside though, it's stinky
One key item not mentioned above: my goto's are the suitable fish hook, and a 10X magnifier to see what the heck I'm trying to do... :d - john
I've had success soaking them overnight in PB Blaster and then blowing them out with compressed air (100 psi). If they feel good, soak them overnight in tsi 321 or corrosion x. If not, try the PB Blaster once more. Still rough, trash them.
Quote from: Brewcrafter on July 19, 2023, 10:35:46 PMOne key item not mentioned above: my goto's are the suitable fish hook, and a 10X magnifier to see what the heck I'm trying to do... :d - john
Looks like only that I am missing the magnifier is what I am doing wrong.
My method is to remove the shields, use the ultrasonic cleaner with lacquer thinner in a jar to get them clean, lightly blow them out (don't spin the bearings with compressed air —- more damage can occur in 40 seconds of spinning a non-lubricated bearing —- than a lifetime of fishing).
After drying —- I drop the bearings in a small jar of synthetic oil —- complete the rest of the reel —- then when ready, remove the bearing from the oil, pat it dry with a paper towel —- add grease of choice —- depending on the reel and it's intended usage.
If there is any noise before lubricating —- and after cleaning —- the bearing just gets tossed in the trash and replaced with a new one.
I seldom re-install the shields —- if the bearing is greased properly —- it will perform well.
Best
Like Cor said, there are those good quality ball bearings where the shields are impossible(for me anyway) to remove without prolly damaging them. Then you could maybe use Jason's method. Seems lately I've come across a few spinner-pinion/rotor bearings like that.
had fairly reliable baitcaster self-service guys swear by MEK
as soaking solvent for double-shielded spool bearings, shields-on
nasty stuff -- play outside!!! (if you can even buy it in your State)
1st soak/shake will run black... repeat until solvent color unchanged
I've done same w/ acetone, though slower & less effective
glass jars w/ cork stoppers, so no worry which -ketone eats which plastic lid/liner
Quote from: philaroman on July 22, 2023, 01:55:27 AMhad fairly reliable baitcaster self-service guys swear by MEK
as soaking solvent for double-shielded spool bearings, shields-on
nasty stuff -- play outside!!! (if you can even buy it in your State)
1st soak/shake will run black... repeat until solvent color unchanged
I've done same w/ acetone, though slower & less effective
glass jars w/ cork stoppers, so no worry which -ketone eats which plastic lid/liner
so you are saying that a fully sealed bearing like the one in the abu 5600c4 can be cleaned out of all oils and gunk just by sitting in a solvent?
and then place it in synthetic oil after and it will be re-lubed?
thats it?
Quote from: pointbob on July 23, 2023, 09:36:09 PMQuote from: philaroman on July 22, 2023, 01:55:27 AMhad fairly reliable baitcaster self-service guys swear by MEK
as soaking solvent for double-shielded spool bearings, shields-on
nasty stuff -- play outside!!! (if you can even buy it in your State)
1st soak/shake will run black... repeat until solvent color unchanged
I've done same w/ acetone, though slower & less effective
glass jars w/ cork stoppers, so no worry which -ketone eats which plastic lid/liner
so you are saying that a fully sealed bearing like the one in the abu 5600c4 can be cleaned out of all oils and gunk just by sitting in a solvent?
and then place it in synthetic oil after and it will be re-lubed?
thats it?
If you go to post #5 in this thread, there's a link for Jason's method, and it looks like it works pretty darn well!
That's what I'll be trying next!
works, SOMETIMES... if not, THEN pull the shields off
NOTE: not sealed -- double-shielded
shielded = metal cover to keep debris out
sealed = rubber/synthetic external gasket to keep liquids out/in
Quote from: philaroman on July 23, 2023, 10:07:49 PMworks, SOMETIMES... if not, THEN pull the shields off
NOTE: not sealed -- double-shielded
shielded = metal cover to keep debris out
sealed = rubber/synthetic external gasket to keep liquids out/in
you are correct of course; the abu 5600c4 bearings are shielded both sides and no obvious way to take off. it looks tight lol...i'll likely bight the bullet and pry it open with a fish hook...
it'll be good practice when i get a 5600 ultra cast that has bizarro odd bearings that are not made anymore and also fully shielded....i really want one them ultra cast beasties.
Quote from: pointbob on July 24, 2023, 12:45:17 AMQuote from: philaroman on July 23, 2023, 10:07:49 PMworks, SOMETIMES... if not, THEN pull the shields off
NOTE: not sealed -- double-shielded
shielded = metal cover to keep debris out
sealed = rubber/synthetic external gasket to keep liquids out/in
you are correct of course; the abu 5600c4 bearings are shielded both sides and no obvious way to take off. it looks tight lol...i'll likely bight the bullet and pry it open with a fish hook...
it'll be good practice when i get a 5600 ultra cast that has bizarro odd bearings that are not made anymore and also fully shielded....i really want one them ultra cast beasties.
What Abu Garcias can't you get bearings for?
I've never heard that before!
Are you sure the previous owner didn't improvise with some bizarre alternative bearing? An old 5600 would either be 3x10x4 or 4x10x4 which is plenty common.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on July 24, 2023, 09:24:18 PMAre you sure the previous owner didn't improvise with some bizarre alternative bearing? An old 5600 would either be 3x10x4 or 4x10x4 which is plenty common.
There's also Abu spool bearings that are 3.2 mm. as well!
Quote from: ExcessiveAngler on July 24, 2023, 08:45:13 PMQuote from: pointbob on July 24, 2023, 12:45:17 AMQuote from: philaroman on July 23, 2023, 10:07:49 PMworks, SOMETIMES... if not, THEN pull the shields off
NOTE: not sealed -- double-shielded
shielded = metal cover to keep debris out
sealed = rubber/synthetic external gasket to keep liquids out/in
you are correct of course; the abu 5600c4 bearings are shielded both sides and no obvious way to take off. it looks tight lol...i'll likely bight the bullet and pry it open with a fish hook...
it'll be good practice when i get a 5600 ultra cast that has bizarro odd bearings that are not made anymore and also fully shielded....i really want one them ultra cast beasties.
What Abu Garcias can't you get bearings for?
I've never heard that before!
maybe i misunderstood this utube vid on the 4600 ultra cast but it seemed like an odd size one. it's the uc i meant as being hard to find bearing...not the 5600C....the uc series was very very different.
https://youtu.be/CG6_tufdQCs?t=222
Haven't seen this design before!
Thing is built, like a brick crap house lol!
Pretty sure, if you can get to the bearings, they can be measured and should, be able to be matched up!
The UC spools took a 4x10x4 bearing, save for a few that took a 3x10x4.
Sometimes people do weird things in reels. I found spherical bearings in an old 5000C once. Quality ones at that. Those spools don't see a lot of lateral force. There's no reason for spherical bearings there. But that's what the prior owner had on hand I guess.
I got a better idea!
How bout',you take a picture of your reel and post it so, we know what reel , we're reelly(lol)talking about here lol!
I have a 4600 AL Magtrax, and a few others that look like they use the UC design, but definitely don't have the bearings fixed to the spool shaft!
Gonna have to watch that video again!
i would just replace them. they are not expensive.
If you have rubber seals just use a large fishing hook.
The seal comes out very easy. depending on availability
you can even buy replacement seals
For metal sealed bearing, I've placed them on a cone tightly then placed in a container of acetone then spin the bearing at 1000 rpms which flushed out of the grease and dirt that may be in the bearing as well as polished the bearing itself. Then let air dry then oiled with TSI321.
Quote from: Bryan Young on December 27, 2023, 02:48:01 AMFor metal sealed bearing, I've placed them on a cone tightly then placed in a container of acetone then spin the bearing at 1000 rpms which flushed out of the grease and dirt that may be in the bearing as well as polished the bearing itself. Then let air dry then oiled with TSI321.
sorry having a hard time visualizing that...what kind of "cone" and how do you spin it? what do use..a drill or dremel?
A drill spins at around 2000-3000rpm. A Dremel/rotary tool spins from 5000-35,000rpm.
I use a rotary tool set at about 30 per cent, mainly as it's convenient and easier to hold.
Cone-wise, the base of one of Alan's bearing packers works well, eg:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/2/1_01_04_10_2_24_21_7.jpeg)
Hope that helps!
Cheers, Justin
I find, once I remove the shield or shields, get an old paint brush handle, taper it to a point, slide the bearing on, place the other end in the portable drill, get a can of carb cleaner, or brake cleaner, rotate the bearing with the drill, & spray away, once you get all the old grease & any grit out of them, then a light lube TSI 321, maybe, & they generally work great, or use ceramic bearings they dont need any lube, so the lube will slow down the bearing when turning, good luck, cheers Don.
Quote from: redsetta on April 04, 2024, 08:34:59 PMA drill spins at around 2000-3000rpm. A Dremel/rotary tool spins from 5000-35,000rpm.
I use a rotary tool set at about 30 per cent, mainly as it's convenient and easier to hold.
Cone-wise, the base of one of Alan's bearing packers works well, eg:
(http://alantani.com/gallery/2/1_01_04_10_2_24_21_7.jpeg)
Hope that helps!
Cheers, Justin
thanks...i think a video would be a great great help to this technique for do it yourself fishermen :)
Not to stir up the pot, but I thought I heard/read, possibly here. But, wasn't it suggested, the high-speed Dremel technique could damage the bearings?
And as usual, I could be totally wrong, or misinterpreted something lol.
You're absolutely right - exceeding the max spin speed for a given bearing will cause damage.
Drills or rotary tools on low settings would be unlikely to breach those limits though.
All bearing types and sizes have different limitations, but (very generally speaking) single-row metal-cage bearings are good to around 10,000rpm (and far higher).
Also, I spin bearings while they're immersed in white spirit. Low revs are essential to stop the liquid flying everywhere!
All the best, Justin