Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn 99/Jigmaster/SurfMaster/Squidder Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: milne on May 24, 2019, 03:04:05 AM

Title: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on May 24, 2019, 03:04:05 AM
Hi Guys,
             Just a wee question on the Squidder bearings.  I've had success with my 113h Senator bearing strip down, which had tiny retainer springs
        in them.  But now doing my Squidder which I'm pimping out and I can't see any retainer ring to remove. Are these a pressed sealed bearing,
        If so, how best to flush out old grease and re grease these.

Thanks in advance

Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: alantani on May 24, 2019, 03:45:59 AM
All of us have trouble seeing up close,  or will soon enough.  There is typically a really thin retaining ring.  Run a sharp hook around the edge and you should find it. Or just lube it and call it done.  :-\
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on May 24, 2019, 04:58:05 AM
Hi Alan,    Oh Wow, that retaining ring must be a small sucker !   I could see the Senator one, all be it with the aid of a small magnifier,
               But this one is real difficult.
              I'll persist with my Dental pick and see if I can remove it,  if going by the caked muck on both bearings, I'd luv to give it a real good clean.
          I used your Carb cleaner trick on the senator Bearings, worked an absolute trick ! then re packed them with a penn grease/ corrosion x mix.
        If this retainer ring is a no go, would you recommend at least soaking these Squidder bearings in Carb clean, it really seems to dissolve grease,
        then can I just put a drop or two of corrosion x on the bearing face, let it soak to get inside,, would that be ok over re packing with grease ?

   sorry for the newby questions.......

Col
             
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Alto Mare on May 24, 2019, 10:50:21 AM
The squidder bearing does not have a shield, once you do find a way to open it the tiny balls will fall right out.
Soak it in some good oil and you should be set.
Somehow  these last a long time, maybe because how well protected it is.
If it still doesn't feel right afterwards, just order another from mystic reel parts.

Sal
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Gfish on May 24, 2019, 07:20:43 PM
Yeah. What Sal said. That's what I thought. Those Squidder bearings are kinda unique for a Penn. Actually, I gave up on trying to get the retainer out on mine, never knowing if it existed. There's been a few other non-Penns where I've come across that.
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on May 24, 2019, 11:52:59 PM
Thanks Guy's, 
                    Yes they are different to the Senator bearings I have just done, I followed what you did Sal and got my self a dental pick, which was
              really easy to flick out the retaining clip, but for the life of me I couldn't see that on the Squidder bearing.  Once it was out, it was caked
          in thick, hard black gunk, so they probably have never been removed by the looks.
          I'm pimping this one out, I received a new Tiburon narrow frame and spool from our man Randy and assembled it to just have a look what it
          looked like, but the free spool was near non existent on her. So it's now been completely stripped down to clean it all up.  I'll soak the bearings as
        you suggested and see if that helps, if there still not good I'll order a new set. There is an internal up grade on offer for the Squidder as well soon, so
        I will jump on that and grab new drags for her as well.
        Thanks for the input guys.........

Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: thorhammer on May 25, 2019, 02:00:18 AM
Col- put the whole bearing assemblies in a jar that you can seal (small Mason, peanut butter, whatever) with lighter fluid, MEK, acetone, or whatever good solvent you can get your hands on. If you have a sonic cleaner, great, sit it in there but don't heat with these in sealed containers. If not, let it rest and periodically give it a good swish- you will be surprised how much crap comes out. Change solvent if necessary. When you are satisfied, lay flat and give a couple squirts over a day or so of your favorite lube. I use Corrosion X. It will seep in.


This is my method and no doubt, someone has one better that works for them. That's fine. But until they show up and out-throw me on their Squidder, which will take an A-game, this is what I do.

John
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: farmer56 on May 25, 2019, 03:12:35 AM
   farmer 56  here   ....    thor  i  love  your  reply  ...   your  casting  challenge    brought  back   fishing  with  my  boys  in  Canada  ...   throwing  1 1/2  oz.  spoons  with   musky  rods  ...   the  boys  would  use  both  arms  and  could  not  understand  how  my  60  year  old  body  could  out  cast them  only  using  only  one  arm  ....       
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on May 25, 2019, 07:47:13 AM
Thanks john,  great method, I'll give that a good go.

cheers

Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: thorhammer on May 31, 2019, 02:32:38 PM
Note, the old timers used to put STP in Squidder bearings to slow them down, having no cast control / mags back then. So, look at it as a balance of educated thumb / lube weight / free spool: Obsessing over getting the bearing spotless and lubed with TS321 for maximun freespool is a diminishing reurn if the reel is then so fast you have to snug down the bearing knob too much. Method as described above works just fine for 6 oz and bait applications and 11/ 12 foot rod. I biasing reply for surf casting, what it was made for, though a perfectly good little bottom reel or troller, neither of which needs a lot of free spool.

JMO

John
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on May 31, 2019, 10:39:47 PM
Thanks John,
                      This pimped out Squidder is going to do a bit of everything, could probably have probably left it as it was, but free spool wasn't the best
            and pulling it out showed how much crud was around it, which had turned hard, so I had to clean it out.
            There soaking as we speak and doing that has leached out alot of crud, so all should be good....

Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Bryan Young on June 01, 2019, 05:04:26 AM
If you can spin the bearing while it's in your soaking solution, it should suck in the solution and push out the old crud in the bearing cleaning it even further. 
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on June 02, 2019, 06:24:02 AM
Thanks for that Bryan, great suggestion, which I did.....

Now, unfortunately, these bearings are toast !!  I soaked them, re soaked them, copious amounts of gunk came out. I did as John suggested and gave
them a couple of drops of corrosion X and let it soak in over a couple of days, all looked good....
Re assembled the reel and the free spool is terrible and you can quite clearly hear the bearing growl.  When I originally removed them, they were quite oily, someone had been oiling them, but the old grease was so caked on the underside, I had to use a sharp blade to literally chip it off. It all cleaned up and looked presentable, but I think I will just order a couple of new bearings and be done....

Question,  Going thru mystic's website, they list a left hand and a right hand bearing separately, is this because of the tail plate side screw in cup ?
It looks as though the bearings them self are identical,  do I just order 2 - 26-140  and I'm done   ???  Is there a difference between maroon and black plated models ?. I know they said earlier models didn't have the extra bearing shield they supplied with the above part number, which mine didn't have.....
Sorry for all the questions...


Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on June 19, 2019, 08:19:56 AM
Ok, Well I got in touch with Mystic, who informed me that the bearings are not "swap able" from side to side, they are side specific.
So, after some searching I found it said here, that they can indeed be used either side ?
I pulled out my Verniers and they do look like the same size.
I know the tail plate side comes with the screw in cap bearing holder and bearing as one, but if they are indeed the same bearing used either side, the tail plate bearing holder isn't needed, surely. I was reading that bearing cup holder is differently machined and is a harder fit as well, than the originals.
So can anyone confirm what I believe that they are indeed the same bearing fits both head and tail plate sides ?...

Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Dominick on June 20, 2019, 04:17:46 AM
I don't know.  If Moe at Mystic says they are not interchangeable then they are not.  Dominick
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: thorhammer on June 25, 2019, 08:03:56 PM
Col, if i have a pair of decent bearings, you want them? N/C


John
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Dominick on June 25, 2019, 10:04:02 PM
Col, BTW the bearings in the reel may have been the same but that does not make it correct.  Someone may have placed the wrong bearings in the reel and that may have been why they failed.  I would order from Mystic and place the side specific in its rightful position.  Dominick
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Alto Mare on June 26, 2019, 12:02:48 AM
Not sure if Mo from Mystic Parts is referring to the later models,and I'm not even sure if those did change, but the Squidder bearings are identical on both sides.
ID.......... 3mm
OD....... 12.6mm
width .....4.3mm

Sal
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Donnyboat on June 26, 2019, 04:18:57 AM
I recently serviced a squidder, the bearings did have shields on them, and I managed to service both bearings, not sure if they were original with the reel, I brought it second hand. running really smooth now, cheers Don
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Alto Mare on June 26, 2019, 10:56:13 AM
And you guys are correct. The latest I just checked has a tiny spring for the shield.
These could be serviced.

I remember when I tried a while back, the tiny ball bearings and inner cage came out.
This tells me you might need to make sure you remote the correct side.

Sal
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on June 26, 2019, 11:09:08 AM
Quote from: thorhammer on June 25, 2019, 08:03:56 PM
Col, if i have a pair of decent bearings, you want them? N/C


John
Thanks for the offer, mighty decent of you. I have a biggish order to put thru soon from mystic, to save freight costs, I have two more 113h's to d/dog
and trick up, so it's no problem to have a couple of new Squidder bearings thrown in,  but really appreciate your offer.

I was really just confused on the bearing issue. I pulled apart a shelfy Squidder and removed both bearings, they are definitely the same size both sides.
After removing the original ones on the Squidder I'm pimping and soaking in acetone, then over a few days letting some oil soak into them, it was obvious they were absolutely trashed, SO, because this reel is being pimped and will be in my boats arsenal, I do want to get some new ones in there.
I was struggling with the mystic site, identifying the correct bearings I needed, so I flicked an email to them, great response in no time at all, but was told they are two different bearings all together, and cant be swapped, so as previously mentioned, my removed ones are identical, as are a second Shelf  Squidder I checked.
So, the option from Mystic is a part number for the handle side bearing and another part number for the tail plate bearing, which also comes with the screw in bearing holder. But It was footnoted that due to tooling differences, this may have to be screwed in with pliers !, so I didn't want that, I would use my existing "screw in " bearing holder, as the new ones aren't as good a fit.   Hence, I was going to order 2 of the handle side bearings and be done.
So it was a bit confusing until I found an old thread listing bearing sizes, as Sal has done above ( thankyou) which appears they are indeed the same bearing.  Maybe Mystic have to buy the screw in bearing holder which has a bearing installed in it from Penn or where ever, hence the separate part no and the confusion that they are different sized bearings,, not sure....  But I didn't want the new bearing holder and have to put that much pressure on the tail plate by having to use pliers to screw it in, i mean it may be alright, i don't know.
So, as soon as I get my order together for my other pimping reels, I'll just order a pair of the head plate bearings and see how they go.
Thanks fella's,   couldn't get my head around this one      cheers

Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on August 19, 2019, 05:07:03 AM
My projects have been on hold of late, but managed to assemble this modified Squidder on the weekend.
I have to admit, I'm lovin the results.
The internals are all stock, I will up grade the drags and anything else that's available when I put my next order in to mystic.
But I can sure see a use for this wee reel in my arsenal when the boat is re birthed.

A big shout out to Randy for the Tiburon frame and spool  AND for this really cool handle,
As usual with Randy,  some quality gear, new and second hand.....

Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Alto Mare on August 19, 2019, 10:25:14 AM
Reel looks great Col, enjoy it!

Sal
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Crow on August 19, 2019, 10:54:35 AM
Looks like a good one, Col !!
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on August 19, 2019, 11:52:06 AM
Thanks guys,
                     Every one I build becomes my new favourite !!.
             And it does give great satisfaction once there completed sitting in front of you.........

Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: mo65 on August 19, 2019, 01:01:13 PM
That Squidder looks great Col. 8)
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: ez2cdave on August 21, 2019, 01:35:13 AM
https://www.mysticparts.com/Repair/Custom/Tani/140_145_146rebuild.aspx (https://www.mysticparts.com/Repair/Custom/Tani/140_145_146rebuild.aspx)

Tight Lines !
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on August 21, 2019, 07:48:32 AM
Thanks MO...........

Dave, Thanks for that link,   I luv looking at Alan's detailed rebuilds......

Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Gfish on August 29, 2019, 03:08:45 PM
Col, let us know how much line goes on that little beauty.
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: milne on August 30, 2019, 10:59:24 AM
Will do G,
            I might be a bit away from spooling it up tho.
    I know Darrin has the same mod, I cant remember what he spooled his up with ????
  In fact, He was going to report back a while ago how his went.

Lets here that report Darrin ?????


Col
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Brandon G on May 10, 2020, 08:57:20 PM
Hey guys... another newbie question...

I can't for the life of me get the damn bearings out of the side of my 140L. I am not applying TOO much pressure to bend or warp anything, but enough I should get a little wiggle.
Am I missing something here?
Do the bearings in the 140L come out or is that just for different versions of the Squidder? If they do come out, does anybody have a link to the tutorial? haha (I'm looking at the 145 tutorial with the pink 145)
In the tutorial, there is a tool used. I don't have one of those, but a dental hook I am hooking under. I'm just afraid I'm going to damage something.
Please advise.

Thank you in advance!
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Swami805 on May 10, 2020, 09:44:36 PM
You're on the right track, they can be a bear to get out but it should come out. 146L and 145 should basically be the same,just different widths.
There's a couple threads about getting bearings out with a few different methods. I use one of those cheap paint can openers with the tip cut down,works about 80% of the time haha
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: alantani on May 10, 2020, 09:57:04 PM
if the bearing is shot and you're going to replace it anyway, then just torch it for 20-30 seconds and then try to pull it out. 
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Brandon G on May 10, 2020, 10:00:30 PM
And just to make sure, that is for both sides? The left AND right bearing should be able to pop out? I haven't been able to get either out, but I just want verify. haha
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Brandon G on May 10, 2020, 10:28:54 PM
I got the right side out! I bent my tool pretty bad... it is my works, so I have to replace it now, but I got the stubborn little guy out! It isn't even rusted... just was some sandy grime in there....


EDIT:

GOT THE LEFT SIDE OUT. DEFINITELY NEED NEW TOOL NOW... haha
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: alantani on May 10, 2020, 10:30:20 PM
just keep at it!!!!
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Alto Mare on May 10, 2020, 10:36:05 PM
If you're talking plastic plates, I have one on my bench now that it would have never come out without my miniature gearing puller.
I tried to get it done by hand... just to see, using pics and such with no luck.

The left side hearing cup will also give you a herd time at times.


The bearing puller costs over $200 And I don't expect you to purchase one.
If you don't mind paying for shipping, you could send the plate and the left side bearing cup to me and I'll get them out.
If you want to try on your own, go for it and good luck.

Sal
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Brandon G on May 10, 2020, 10:59:08 PM
Quote from: Alto Mare on May 10, 2020, 10:36:05 PM
If you're talking plastic plates, I have one on my bench now that it would have never come out without my miniature gearing puller.
I tried to get it done by hand... just to see, using pics and such with no luck.

The left side hearing cup will also give you a herd time at times.


The bearing puller costs over $200 And I don't expect you to purchase one.
If you don't mind paying for shipping, you could send the plate and the left side bearing cup to me and I'll get them out.
If you want to try on your own, go for it and good luck.

Sal
$200?!? jeepers

I got them out 3/4 of the way. Just the actual bearing in the left side plate is stuck. I think there is rust on that one as I spray it with "free all" a rust eater/remover and it comes out brownish orange. The weird thing is, the reel had great spins before I decided I must get to the bearings... even with all this junk in there.
I'm going to soak/give  them a bit to rethink if they want to play nice or not. If I can't get it out, I will take you up on sending it your way. it is just the side bearing cap with the bearing stuck in. I'm thinking I'll be able to get it out though. *fingers crossed*

I've, sadly, done damage to the bearing and the bearing cap thing. They are usable and 100% functional, just dented on a spot and scuffed. I will probably end up replacing them so they don't cause any issues down the road and this is going to be my main fishing reel.
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Brandon G on May 10, 2020, 11:44:23 PM
I have beaten the mighty stuck bearings and they are soaking in penetrating oil, then I will soak them in reelx.

I feel like I could conquer the world now... at least one bearing at a time.
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: alantani on May 10, 2020, 11:50:30 PM
now that the old bearings are out, it's time to replace them with new ones! 
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Brandon G on May 11, 2020, 01:48:50 AM
Quote from: alantani on May 10, 2020, 11:50:30 PM
now that the old bearings are out, it's time to replace them with new ones! 

So to me, they look identical, would 26-140 bearings work to replace both bearings? ( https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/26-140.aspx)
If the cap is fine, I assume that would work right?

I also was curious in your 145 squidder tutorial, why did you leave the bearing shield off? Should I do the same?
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Rancanfish on May 11, 2020, 06:16:41 AM
Brandon,  you can get away without removing the shield.  I have lots of reels and have never removed one.  Cleaned and lubed they will be fine.

I'm too tired out from cleaning my garage today to look at a Squidder but, if you are ordering bearings Mo @ Mystic will know if they match.

Good luck
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Alto Mare on May 11, 2020, 12:21:48 PM
Quote from: Brandon G on May 11, 2020, 01:48:50 AM
Quote from: alantani on May 10, 2020, 11:50:30 PM
now that the old bearings are out, it's time to replace them with new ones! 

So to me, they look identical, would 26-140 bearings work to replace both bearings? ( https://www.mysticparts.com/PennParts/Parts/26-140.aspx)
If the cap is fine, I assume that would work right?

I also was curious in your 145 squidder tutorial, why did you leave the bearing shield off? Should I do the same?
Yes, same bearing for both sides.
If you do decide to remove the shield, be very careful.
One side of the bearing has the cage that holds the tiny balls and could fall apart.
These are good quality bearings and last a long time, I usually don't remove the shield on them, but do it on others.
I will usually soak them in some TSI 301 in a glass jar and spinning them a couple of times as I soak them.
The tip of a chopstick holds them nicely while spinning.
If the shield is bent on any, time to replace that bearing.

Sal
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Brandon G on May 11, 2020, 05:44:58 PM
Thank you guys! I think I found the bearings on another site for about 1/2 the price. Has anybody heard of MCMaster?
This link has 2 different bearings that are the exact size... One is significantly more expensive. https://www.mcmaster.com/stainless-steel-ball-bearings/for-shaft-diameter~0-125inches/ball-bearing-type~standard/width~0-171875inches/ (https://www.mcmaster.com/stainless-steel-ball-bearings/for-shaft-diameter~0-125inches/ball-bearing-type~standard/width~0-171875inches/)
ABEC-5 vs ABEC-7 - Do you think ABEC-7 is worth the extra money? Do we know what kind of bearings Mystic has?

Does the copper washer between the bearing and the shield help the bearing enough I should make sure I get the bearings from Mystic, or is it not as important?

Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: pito on May 11, 2020, 08:01:58 PM
Wonder why nobody talks about boca bearings? 
their customer service is top shelf! 
https://www.bocabearings.com/products/bearing-applications/fishing-reel-bearings?ProductType=2

they also have a "Chat Feature" for any immediate questions.
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: Brandon G on May 11, 2020, 09:47:49 PM
Quote from: pito on May 11, 2020, 08:01:58 PM
Wonder why nobody talks about boca bearings? 
their customer service is top shelf! 
https://www.bocabearings.com/products/bearing-applications/fishing-reel-bearings?ProductType=2

they also have a "Chat Feature" for any immediate questions.

I saw them too but they are really spendy... then I just saw that it is a 2 pack, not just one. That makes it much more affordable.
I can't decide between ABEC-5 and ABEC-7.
Title: Re: Squidder bearing
Post by: pito on May 11, 2020, 09:52:27 PM
i talked to someone there about the same question and ABEC 7 vs Ceramic, Vs bla bla bla... CALL 'EM just to chat and you'll realize how awesome they truly are!