Shimano Exsence DC XG

[GearGuy]

Hi there,

I have a Shimano Exsence DC XG and I want to install spool bearings (AIR HD 3-10-4) from Hedgehog studio. BUT - when I take the factory bearings out of the reel, they have a rubber O-ring around the outer race - This O-ring is not on the bearings from Hedgehog Studio. The question is - does it matter? Has anyone tried to install other bearings without the O-ring on this reel and? - and does it work OK?

[BeachBob]

The race shields don't matter - having them or not is up to the bearing manufacturer. I have ceramic hybrid ABEC 5 & 7 bearings with and without race shields.

[GearGuy]

Hi, It's not about the shields - it's the rubber gasket that sits around the bearing

[BeachBob]

51 mins ago, GearGuy said:

Hi, It's not about the shields - it's the rubber gasket that sits around the bearing

Then those appear to either be some manner of "spacers" or a way to hold the bearings in place, or both.  Most round revolvers have a circlip to hold on the brake block ring that sits in front of the gear side spool bearing.   Maybe contact the reel manufacturer and get their opinion on the bearings you're about to install.

Edited January 14 by BeachBob

[GearGuy]

I'm very sure that Shimano will not agree that it's a good idea to put anything else but Shimano standard bearings in the reel. However - Hedgehog Studio says that the rubber seal is to minimize vibrations when casting. I have just now tried to see and feel if there are any "free space" between the bearing and the seat, and there is nothing - the bearing fits the seat perfectly. The groove the rubberseal is mounted in is so deep that the whole rubber seal wil be pressed into the bearing when the bearing is seated!

[BeachBob]

Sounds like you're good to go.