Grease on yoke and idle gear?

**hogginhank** · #1 04-10-2012, 12:45 PM

I always put a little bit of grease on the yoke where the pinion gear rides. Is this needed? I always polish the smooth middle of the pinion where it makes contact with the yoke and I've tried a drop of reel X compared to the tiny bit of drag grease and I really couldn't feel any difference.

Also curious about the idle gears and plastic gears in reels. It seems like EVERY factory lubed reel I open up has been attacked by a grease gremlin?? I didn't think that the plastic gears needed any lube? I usually put a tiny touch on a few of the teeth(actually a light smudge) on one of the plastic gears so it will spread between the two gears. Is this a good/bad practice and what are yall's thoughts or advice on this. Thanks in advance. Hank

**Dipsay** · #2 04-10-2012, 02:06 PM

Yes, Light coating of grease on the yoke where the pinion gear sits. Not too much or it can work it's way onto the shaft during casting and retrieving. It helps keep the yoke from wearing down. I lightly brush the main gear and it works it way onto the pinion gear during retrieve. Light brush of grease like you are talking about on the idle gear as well. Same reason as yoke. Hope this helps...Dip

**Bantam1** · #3 04-10-2012, 03:51 PM

A little light grease on the idle gears will help reduce some noise. The gears do not need any lubrication really. They are not a load bearing part.

My opinion is to run the yoke dry. It will get planty of grease from the main and pinion gear contact. I'm sure you noticed there was grease on the yoke when you removed the pinion gear. I just do not see the need to add anymore.

**hogginhank** · #4 04-10-2012, 04:23 PM

I did notice the grease all piled up on one side of the yoke from the grease I put on the main gear. That's what made me post this question. I only put grease on about 70% of the main gear so it spreads out. I guess I will just do what I'm doing for now. I think I will put the side plate on and crank a few times then wipe off all that extra grease. Thanks for the replies

**johnmyjohn** · #5 04-10-2012, 06:58 PM

The gear teeth need grease, the action of the teeth is metal to metal. The yoke needs grease, it will start wearing out your spool release mechanism when you have to start forcing it. If the reel is primitive, simple mechanism like the Penns 3/0 and such, grease the pinion gear inside where it rides the spool and the teeth. You won't notice the drag and the heavier spool needs it, they don't have to spin as fast either. Lighter reels need grease on the pinion teeth and light oil where the spool shaft rides. Grease is good but excess will collect sand and grit causing wear. Most drag systems are made to work dry, grease on the drag washers will cause you to have to lock down on bigger reels and cause them to lunge and stop as drag is being taken. Just remember every major moving part on a machine rides in a bath of oil or is greased. There are a lot of different makes and models of reels and little changes can make a big difference, to the good or bad. Hope this helps a bit.

**Bantam1** · #6 04-11-2012, 09:10 AM

Hank-

You only need to cover 1/2 of the main gear with grease in our reels. This will provide the perfect amount for the gears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmyjohn

The gear teeth need grease, the action of the teeth is metal to metal. The yoke needs grease, it will start wearing out your spool release mechanism when you have to start forcing it.

If you have to start forcing the clutch there is another issue. Grease on the yoke is not going to help you nor prevent damage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmyjohn

Lighter reels need grease on the pinion teeth and light oil where the spool shaft rides.

If you want the reel to cast well do not put any oil on the spool shaft. It will only slow the spool down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmyjohn

Grease is good but excess will collect sand and grit causing wear. Most drag systems are made to work dry, grease on the drag washers will cause you to have to lock down on bigger reels and cause them to lunge and stop as drag is being taken.

I agree that excess grease oil will act like a magnet. Pretty much all Shimano drag washers are greased. The grease helps reduce drag spikes and allows for a smoother pull.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmyjohn

Just remember every major moving part on a machine rides in a bath of oil or is greased. There are a lot of different makes and models of reels and little changes can make a big difference, to the good or bad. Hope this helps a bit.

Just make sure the correct parts that need grease get grease, and the parts that require oil are oiled. Do not overlubricate the reels. This will cause more problems and make the reel feel sluggish or perform poorly.

**johnmyjohn** · #7 04-11-2012, 10:31 AM

If you're near FTU you can take it there and they will talk to you person to person for free. They'll even sell you the right lubes and parts if needed for the reel you have.