Reel Repair by Alan Tani

I'm building my repair kit for my saltiga 20, 30t and 40 reels. I am getting bearings but have come across theses orange colored ABEC-7 Hybrid ceramic  bearings.  Are these better bearings than the original stock style bearing?

My .02,
I would just get quality SS, pack them with your favorite quality grease and seal them in bags and stick them in your kit.
ABEC numbering increases with the tolerances getting tighter.  Because I wouldn't expect your brgs to be going a zillion RPM I don't see the need for the precision.  Some other observations: the tighter the brg tolerance the less leeway you have regards, for example, cr@p in the race or spool shaft runout. Remembering that this is all theoretical, if you had 0.2 mm runout in your shaft or debris of similar size, but the bearings had only 0.10mm internal tolerance you could conceivably have balls binding in the race.  With regards to ceramic, the material itself is not as durable in shock loading as SS.  I would be happy with ABEC 3 or 5 SS for the durablity, if salt gets in it is going to affect both type of brg similarly as they both have some steel components.
cheers
Steve

Same 2 cents here. SS bearings rather than ceramic. If you are a tournament caster you may get more distance with dry ceramic bearings. Abec5 no more - probably most Abec 3 as well. I find myself using more Boca Orange seals rather than anything else. Greased with a good marine grease - except spool bearings if your casting (for freespool) use TSI 301/321.

Does anyone have a good source for SS Bearing sizes for the Original Diawa SA20, SA30, SA30T and SA40 reels. I need to get a set of required bearings for each reel. I seemed to misplace the list I made awhile ago.

Boca bearings should have a list for your needed bearings.

Does the Saltiga and Saltist reels use the same bearings? I checked out Boca Bearings and they list bearings for the Saltist baitcaster and not the Saltiga. Just want to make sure before ordering.

Quote from: Pappy on June 02, 2018, 02:42:58 AM
Does the Saltiga and Saltist reels use the same bearings? I checked out Boca Bearings and they list bearings for the Saltist baitcaster and not the Saltiga. Just want to make sure before ordering.

I just checked my notes, but please do not rely on this to be correct.   I seems like most are the same.

Saltist STT40H   
8 X 14 X 4   Main large
4 X 11 X 4   Spool small
8 X 14 X 4   Outside shaft
7 X 14 X 4    Inside shaft
   
   
Saltiga 40 HK   
8 X 14 X 4   Outside shaft
7 X 14 X 4    Inside shaft
7 X 14 X 3.5   Inside shaft
4 X 11 X 4   Spool small
8 X 14 X 4   Spool large
5 X 8 X 2.5   Handle
5 X 8 X 2   Handle