Shielded Bearings
Another factor that determines the price of stainless steel bearings is shielding. The shield simply is an additional layer of protection that protects the ball bearings from water and particles that are in the water of which can damage the bearings too. It is a flat type of ring that covers the steel ball bearings. Shielded bearings are usually used in saltwater reels as they provide the reel some amount of protection from saltwater thus extending the lifespan of the reel. Of course they will be great too for freshwater reels.
Maintaining Stainless Steel Bearings
To lengthen the lifespan of your bearings it is best to wash your reels with clean freshwater after every fishing trip especially so when you’ve fished in saltwater. We usually wash down our reels as soon as we return to land. This helps ensure to wash off as much saltwater and particles from the water that may have gotten into the reel. It is best to have the reel serviced as soon as possible after the trip. This is to remove any saltwater and particles that may be inside the reel especially on bearings, gears, etc.
After cleaning the bearings with clean water, drop a drop of bearing oil (light oil) into the bearings and give them a few spins to lubricate them. It is important to use only light oil meant for bearings and not thick oil. Also do not put too much oil. A drop is enough. Too much oil and the bearing will start to leak oil.
There you have it, information on steel bearings; the most common type of bearings inside fishing reels. In the next issue we will discuss ceramic bearings.