Shimano Sustain 4000FD Bearing Replacment

[tarpon one]

I'm going to replace the bearings in an old Shimano Sustain 4000FD that was has some special sentimental value. The plan at this time is to replace both bearings on the Drive Gear, both bearings on the Pinion Gear and the line roller bearing. I was going to order stainless steel bearing from a vendor on eBay but then I became aware of Boca Bearings. In a spinning reel where freespool is of no concern, does it make sense to use Boca Bearings? Thanks for your input.

[alantani]

check boca, smoothdrag.com and ebay.

[tarpon one]

Is the extra expense of the Boca Bearings worthwhile on a spinning reel?

[alantani]

you likely would not be able to tell the difference.

[philaroman]

Is the extra expense of the Boca Bearings worthwhile on a spinning reel?

not worth it on ANY reel, IMO, unless it's the only place you can get all the sizes you need in one shipment
Boca is Chinese OEM...  good Chinese (allegedly), but marketed as "American-based" & grossly overpriced, accordingly
you can find better Japanese, CHEAPER!!!  try DadsOleTackle or other Sapporo/EZO vendor
https://www.dadsoletackle.com/bearings/stainless-steel/

you don't need anything better than ABEC-5 SS...  maybe, splurge on ABEC-7 for the line roller & get a spare
(it's usually the first to go, esp. in S/W...  maybe even look for a way to double up for stability, like in a Stella)

also, consider: unshielded vs. single-shielded vs. double-shielded vs. sealed

if you want genuine Shimano, I have a bunch used/mint and an abused partial 5000FD laying around
if it uses same sizes as 4000, it'll give me an excuse to get in there & see if I can make you a complete BB set

EDIT: if you happen to have a spare 4000/5000FD handle (even broken-armed ), might be a swap

[philaroman]

BTW, are you sure you're not blaming the bearings for early signs of alloy gear-death... 
clean & check your original BB's, THOROUGHLY, before you spend a penny!!!

[tarpon one]

you likely would not be able to tell the difference.

Agreed and thanks.

[tarpon one]

Is the extra expense of the Boca Bearings worthwhile on a spinning reel?

not worth it on ANY reel, IMO, unless it's the only place you can get all the sizes you need in one shipment
Boca is Chinese OEM...  good Chinese (allegedly), but marketed as "American-based" & grossly overpriced, accordingly
you can find better Japanese, CHEAPER!!!  try DadsOleTackle or other Sapporo/EZO vendor
https://www.dadsoletackle.com/bearings/stainless-steel/

you don't need anything better than ABEC-5 SS...  maybe, splurge on ABEC-7 for the line roller & get a spare
(it's usually the first to go, esp. in S/W...  maybe even look for a way to double up for stability, like in a Stella)

also, consider: unshielded vs. single-shielded vs. double-shielded vs. sealed

if you want genuine Shimano, I have a bunch used/mint and an abused partial 5000FD laying around
if it uses same sizes as 4000, it'll give me an excuse to get in there & see if I can make you a complete BB set

EDIT: if you happen to have a spare 4000/5000FD handle (even broken-armed ), might be a swap

Will check with DadsOleTackle and also Sapporo.
Also no good on the handle. I was able just to get the rubber T handle on eBay from someone selling Stella parts. It is the same exact handle as Sustain.
Thanks for your guidance on bearings. I know very little about bearings.

[tarpon one]

BTW, are you sure you're not blaming the bearings for early signs of alloy gear-death... 
clean & check your original BB's, THOROUGHLY, before you spend a penny!!!

And on this I suspect I clean the teeth on the main gear and look for wear or missing teeth. Feels a little like a coffee grinder but a very smooth coffee grinder LOL.

[tarpon one]

BTW, are you sure you're not blaming the bearings for early signs of alloy gear-death... 
clean & check your original BB's, THOROUGHLY, before you spend a penny!!!

I think you just saved me $40. I cleaned and checked the bearings and I think they are fine. When I crank the reel forward there is a bit of a rough feel that totally disappears when I crank the reel in reverse. This reel was owned by a close departed friend and I'm trying to keep it going for sentimental reasons. I think I need a drive gear RD7946 and will start the hunt tomorrow.
And while I was on that oledads site you gave me I saw a handle for a Stella that will work on a Sustain. I can send you a link or my email is tarpononecharter@aol.com.
Denis

[philaroman]

could be the main gear is done  or just a shimming issue:

• light even wear of alloy main's teeth increases main/pinion gap;
• add a shim & it's good for a season or two, while you seek new gears (availability is poor & pref. swap main & pinion, same time)
• OR, shim was left out last service (very thin, hide in grease, stick to gears/bearings, later slide off & escape...  common prob.   )
• be very careful about number & location of shims on main gear! some old schematics are useless for that 

there are '03 & '07 FD schematics...  no way I could figure out THAT difference, flipping screens
otherwise, seems my 5000 uses same body/gearbox as your 4000 -- all the main part#s are same
I never had a handle or drag knob, so I never looked inside
will do, but don't be too hopeful -- it's past boat-rash...  more like boat-caned
it won't be getting any Stella handles -- not, out of my pocket, LOL