Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: wussero on February 09, 2025, 05:42:14 AM

Title: Some new thoughts on spool bearing stuck.
Post by: wussero on February 09, 2025, 05:42:14 AM
Some reels like Torium, Trinidad, Tranx, have spool bearings with a cross pin holding them in place.  I got the tools to remove this now with little damage as possible. Too late a few scratches here and there now.

Anyways, I ran it the issue of the bearing stuck on the shaft not want to come off.  Somehow the shaft diameter is thicker than the bearing diameter..

With some brainstorming with a buddy of mine.

How about using an upside down air duster can on the area that is stuck..that would shrink the metal on the spool hopefully enough to remove and slide free the bearing?

Other thought is stick the spool in the freezer for a few hours.  Wouldn't the spool shaft and bearing expand the same ratio when hot, would shrink proportionally when cold?

Just wanted to see what u all think?
Title: Re: Some new thoughts on spool bearing stuck.
Post by: OhReely on February 09, 2025, 08:24:13 AM
How about this, although I've never tried it. Freezer overnight, from freezer directly into boiling water for several minutes, directly from boiling water into ice water, back and forth between the water and ice several times.
That is of course assuming there are no plastic or painted parts involved that can be damaged.

Water molecules may be smaller than some penetrants. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Some new thoughts on spool bearing stuck.
Post by: Bill B on February 09, 2025, 06:51:11 PM
I second the freeze and thaw method. I had a broken screw stuck in an aluminum frame. The freeze thaw with penetrating fluid worked. 

Not sure if the shaft is heat treated but getting the bearing really hot with a torch may work.  The boss does this to remove stuck bolts from aluminum frames.

Something I wanted to try is apparently an automotive mechanic trick of heating a stuck bolt and meting a crayon into the stuck part.
Title: Re: Some new thoughts on spool bearing stuck.
Post by: alantani on February 09, 2025, 10:21:58 PM
same as a pinion gear. 

https://youtu.be/RlbyJoE5YEM