I bought 2 cheap saltwater rod/reel combos (less than $50 ea.), on my mid-May trip to Florida. I am bad about wading into the gulf to the sand bar to cast out to deeper water, knowing the water will get into the reel and eventually destroy them. Normally, I would give them away, but I brought them home this year. Unpacking, I noticed one reel was not turning very smooth and the other had seized completely, so I took them both apart. In both, the main (and only) bearings were already damaged. One set was visably rusted and seized on the shaft, not turning at all. The other reel was turning, didn't show rust, but the beari g was locked up with the shaft, spinning inside of the locked up bearing. I was able to break the bearings free with PB blaster, gave them a long soak, cleaned them up, and then I packed them with lithium grease. They turn pretty good now. It seems like there was plenty of grease used in the reels, but neither of the main bearing seemed to have been greased from the factory. BTW, the side "bearings" on the crank shaft for the crank handle were actually plastic pieces, not bearings. This process happened with in days of the end of my fishing. Probably a difference between a cheap reel and a more expensive reel. I though some of you might find this interesting or helpful info. Next time I buy a saltwater reel, I hope to try and grease the bearings before I use it, if I don't get to impatient. BTW, the pics are from the 2 separate reels. I should have taken better pics of each.
Posted by Kyle4pleasure