Multiplier bearings help

kevden45

Well-known member
Hey guys going to replace my penn 525 mag's bearings with new ones. The problem is its confusing what to go for ceramic? abec 7,5 etc it's all to much. what difference will abec 7's make in the reel will it make it faster etc? are the formula upgrade bearings on ebay any good?

any advice on buying bearings is helpful thanks.
 
There's a place in bill quay near hebburn called Gateshead bearings I got some abec5 spool bearings for a £5 take ur old ones in and he'll swap them
 
Formula upgrade bearings on ebay are fine, the 5 and 7 relates to the tolerance used in manufacture, 7 being the better ones. :)
 
Hi I have used Gateshead bearings many times for 525 bearings and years ago 7000 bearings, as louis 286 says their abec 5 and only a fiver a pair. Rutherfords do a set of ceramics for ten quid I have also used them to repair a mates reel (was in the shop at the time and was not worth the extra driving to save a fiver) the ceramics are no better in real terms their only faster if you run them dry (which you can with CB's). The standard bearings I used in my own reel from Gateshead bearings ran smoother and quieter but remember a lot depends on the balance and run out of the spool. Gateshead Bearings Ltd If your on the north side of the river there is a company in Cramiligton Northumberland bearings I think they are called, CHUKKA on this site has there address if you want to PM him I am sure he will point you in the right direction. Getting back to ceramics unless your needing every last yard casting over grass then the difference is negligible. Five quid is a snip and the bearings are a German made quality product tolerance abec 5 oh and stainless through out. Good luck
 
I've bought bearings from Northumbrian Bearings a few years ago for a few of my reels and they're spot on. If you don't know the sizes just take in the bearings and they'll measure them up for you and tell you what's available - the one's I wanted weren't in stock but they got them for me within 24 hours. They're pretty used to fishermen paying them a visit these days!

Here's their address if it helps:
Northumbrian Bearings
Unit 54a South Nelson Industrial Estate
South Nelson Road ,
Cramlington
Northumberland
NE23 1WF

Gary :)
 
Thanks for your help guys. I've just stripped the bearings out and opened them up and popped them in lighter fluid for 2 hours greased them with some greys g mag grease and the spool doesnt seem to spin for more than 10 seconds have I done something wrong? I took the little plates of the bearings so I could see the actual bearings should I have just left them on? It's my first try at cleaning bearings and it seems to have gone wrong lol.
 
You want oil, not grease, in your spool bearings mate - red or yellow Rocket Fuel would be a good start (red is thicker so a bit slower, yellow makes them a bit more lively). Clean them again & try the oil.

Gary :)
 
It's clear like oil. I've ordered some rocket fuel so ill give that a go. Do you really need to take the shields off the bearings to actually see the bearing or is it fine to oil them with the bearing shields still in place?
 
It doesn't really matter - removing the shields will allow you to see that there's no guff inside, and on older bearings to check that there aren't any worn or damaged balls in the races. Generally it's not necessary to remove them as the lighter fuel will penetrate & clean old oil ok & the new oil will likewise find it's way inside when applied. Just don't apply too much fresh oil; even one drop from the bottle will be too much. It's best to apply a few specks with something like a very fine artist's brush (0 or 00) or a dab on a toothpick. If you do apply too much, it'll eventually get spun out but may make the bearing run a little slower initially.

Gary :)
 
Doesn't matter how many times you clean them if the bearings are showing fatigue then it's time for a change new bearings can be cleaned and oiled every so often but after a while they'll need changed if its not responding to lighter fluid and oil I use 3 in one oil I did use that rocket fuel but the nests I had was unbelievable
 
Cheers guys theres my problem I covered them in oil rather than a bit in fact they were dripping with it lol. My mistake I know for future to use a tiny bit cheers guys:D also do you need to heat the rocket fuel up to loosen the oil before applying it? I read to do that on another forum but is it really needed?
 
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