thrust bearings, pack or tsi

[otownjoe]

Hello all, I'm getting my makaira10sea ready for a trip.in alan's tutorial on the mak8 he didn't grease the thrust bearing .since that is a two year old post I was wondering if there is any new thoughts on this.Ive gone through my tiburons this week and used tsi on the thrust bearings.4 minute free spool on my tib 16 was the top performer.now I am wondering if they will hold up since makaira didn't use tsi in the thrust bearing on the sea model.any insight would be appreciated.thanks Joe

[alantani]

i now pack them with grease......

[otownjoe]

Thanks Alan

[Makule]

If they are true thrust bearings, they do not handle high speeds, and are needed to withstand pressure placed upon them (thrust).  Consequently, they need a lube that is quite viscous and will not readily squeeze out between the bearing surfaces under high pressure (e.g., those that incorporate moly disulfide).  These special purpose, high pressure, greases are probably not needed for this relatively light duty application (and they tend to get very contaminated with grit, etc.).  Anyway, as Alan says, grease it, and what you use for the gears is probably a good lube for it.