Shimano AX-4000FB

[thrasher]

Someone gave me this reel and it just sat in my garage for a couple years. Finally opened it up and was a little surprised at what I saw. The tail plate says 2 bearings but I only found 1 bearing and 3 bushings. The pinion gets the bearing, the 2 blue bushings are for the main gear and the last is the line roller bushing. I know this is a budget reel but are they counting the roller clutch assembly as a bearing?

[philaroman]

yup...  I'm sure specs show bearing count as 1+1
those bushings are OK when new, but may get brittle w/ age (regardless of use!)

[oc1]

There may be ball bearings that are drop-in replacements for those bushings.
-steve

[thrasher]

yup...  I'm sure specs show bearing count as 1+1
those bushings are OK when new, but may get brittle w/ age (regardless of use!)

I didn't even think of googling the specs but you are correct, it does say 1+1. I always saw those x+1 specs but never really understood what it meant. I'm glad you responded, I finally get it

[thrasher]

There may be ball bearings that are drop-in replacements for those bushings.
-steve

Yeah I was thinking about swapping them out for some bearings but I'll probably wait until they wear out. I doubt I will ever fish it, just wanted to look inside 

[philaroman]

almost definitely, swappable...  '06 is too new for my decade of familiarity (90's +/-)
but cheapest model means old platform, so my blather is kinda' back in   (double-check me, though!!!):

I'd guess those bushings are same dimensions as RD-0930
(+4 other later part#'s, also MLX 200/300 uses same-size bronze bushings)
AX is not worth upgrading by piece -- wait for the right parts reel
you may want 90's 1000/2000 which use that size on both, main & pinion
so you get 2 BB's even in cheaper models, or 3 to choose from in better ones + BB line-roller assembly
there are more & more of those cheap w/ dead main & all the good parts
to upgrade your AX from cheapo to mid-price

[thrasher]

almost definitely, swappable...  '06 is too new for my decade of familiarity (90's +/-)
but cheapest model means old platform, so my blather is kinda' back in   (double-check me, though!!!):

I'd guess those bushings are same dimensions as RD-0930
(+4 other later part#'s, also MLX 200/300 uses same-size bronze bushings)
AX is not worth upgrading by piece -- wait for the right parts reel
you may want 90's 1000/2000 which use that size on both, main & pinion
so you get 2 BB's even in cheaper models, or 3 to choose from in better ones + BB line-roller assembly
there are more & more of those cheap w/ dead main & all the good parts
to upgrade your AX from cheapo to mid-price

I didn't even think of grabbing them out of an older reel, I'll keep my eyes peeled for a parts reel. I was just gonna go by Boca Bearings with the bushings and see what was the cheapest replacements they had. I'll probably just keep it stock for now, it will only get used if there is a young new fisher-person with us.

I appreciate all the advice this site provides!!

[handi2]

Yes you can swap the bushings for bearings. I do it all the time.