"Buzzing" sound from Abu Garcia LTX 2025
Further North reply :
I have an Abu Garcia LTX on my Senko rig. It's been in use for about three seasons now and gets a ton of use (It's one of my go-to rigs).
Doing my pre-season cleaning/maintenance, I noticed that when I fling a bait out there, the reel starts "buzzing" when the bait is a ways out. It's not immediate, it takes a couple seconds before you hear the sound, then it persists until the bait hits the ground, or I thumb the spool.
I've tried making adjustments to clear it up (it's less, but not eliminated, when spool tension is increased), but nothing makes it go away completely.
I'm thinking bearings?
If so, where do I get new ones, or should I upgrade to something better?
Jigfishn10 reply :
On 3/25/2019 at 12:57 PM, Further North said:I'm thinking bearings?
Maybe you need a drop of oil on the spool bearings. It happened to me yesterday, in fact. Different reel, same problem. For whatever reason they were dry.
Just a guess
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Good cleaning and lubrication is always a good starting point.
Further North reply :
I did a clean and lube yesterday, it was still making the noise.
I'll check it today, but I'm not optimistic.
Further North reply :
I took it all apart, made sure everything was clean and lubed...still making the same noise. You can feel a slight vibration and the spool slows down some.
BaitFinesse reply :
The vibration and sound is made when casting, correct? It is not when you turn the handle? If it occurs when turning the handle then it is usually gear set related but if it only happens when casting then it is spool or spool bearing related. I wonder if the spool shaft is bent. Unless I am mistaken that reel has an aluminum spool shaft.
Further North reply :
The vibration is minimal, it's the noise that's really telling me there's a problem...but I suppose it's a possibility. How would a shaft get bent?
Just for clarification, the reel was making the sound at the end of last season too - it's not a result of putting it back together incorrectly.
iabass8 reply :
Generally, a “screeching” or “buzzing” sound when casting is related to spool bearings. Yours could either bad or need to be flushed. A single flush is almost never enough, btw.
fin reply :
Just to narrow things down, maybe try adjusting the braking and tension while spinning the spool by hand to see if that has any effect.
Further North reply :
On 3/26/2019 at 6:01 AM, iabass8 said:Generally, a “screeching” or “buzzing” sound when casting is related to spool bearings. Yours could either bad or need to be flushed. A single flush is almost never enough, btw.
Have not looked into flushing...I found a video by Boca Bearings on how to clean them, is that what we're talking about?
On 3/26/2019 at 7:36 AM, fin said:Just to narrow things down, maybe try adjusting the braking and tension while spinning the spool by hand to see if that has any effect.
Did that - it went away for a cast or two, then came back.
At this point, I'm thinking I should just install new bearings. Does anyone have a recommendation? Go with OEM? Upgrade?
iabass8 reply :
On 3/26/2019 at 8:15 AM, Further North said:Have not looked into flushing...I found a video by Boca Bearings on how to clean them, is that what we're talking about?
Did that - it went away for a cast or two, then came back.
At this point, I'm thinking I should just install new bearings. Does anyone have a recommendation? Go with OEM? Upgrade?
Remove both of the spool bearings. Put them in acetone or lighter fluid and swirl them around and let them sit for 10 minutes. A baby food jar works really well for this. Take them out and put them on a pencil and give them a light spin to check for either fluidity or rough spots. Repeat this process over and over until the bearings are smooth. Your bearings don't need to spin forever. The key is to make sure they start smooth and come to a very smooth, easy stop, not an abrupt stop. If you notice any noise or the bearing is stopping suddenly after test spinning, keep cleaning it. When they are clean, add a very, very small single drop of oil to each bearing. Replace in reel and test.
A reel with regular use through the year should have this done annually.
Further North reply :
On 3/26/2019 at 8:26 AM, iabass8 said:Remove both of the spool bearings. Put them in acetone or lighter fluid and swirl them around and let them sit for 10 minutes. A baby food jar works really well for this. Take them out and put them on a pencil and give them a light spin to check for either fluidity or rough spots. Repeat this process over and over until the bearings are smooth. Your bearings don't need to spin forever. The key is to make sure they start smooth and come to a stop very smooth, not abruptly. If you notice any noise or the bearing is stopping suddenly after test spinning, keep cleaning it. When they are clean, add a very, very small single drop of oil to each bearing. Replace in reel and test.
I'll give that a shot, thanks.
Further North reply :
...I'm still looking for replacement/upgrades for the bearings that are in the LTX now.
Any thoughts?
iabass8 reply :
Zpi while you can still get them.
hedgehog air hds
Further North reply :
On 3/26/2019 at 10:42 AM, iabass8 said:Zpi while you can still get them.
hedgehog air hds
Lots of choices there...do you have specific recommendations?
I'm bearing illiterate, so bear with me.
Happy to take PMs or phone calls...
iabass8 reply :
On 3/26/2019 at 10:59 AM, Further North said:Lots of choices there...do you have specific recommendations?
I'm bearing illiterate, so bear with me.
Happy to take PMs or phone calls...
ZPI sic are my favorite.
Drew03cmc reply :
Hedgehog is my favorite. Reel Demon is a good, affordable upgrade.
Acetone followed by oil is the way to go. Also, on the palm side, look at the spool, take a q tip with a drop of oil around the rim of the spool where the brakes ride.
Further North reply :
Thanks all. I'm following up on a couple things, I appreciate all the advice and patience.
Jigfishn10 reply :
Good luck @Further North. I've changed out bearing before but it's hard to recommend bearing size only to find out the one's you bought don't fit.
J Francho reply :
Call Dawn at Smooth Drag. She'll get you set up.
http://smoothdrag.com/price.html
Glaucus reply :
"Buzzing" sound from Abu Garcia LTX
sound from Abu Garcia LTX
from Abu Garcia LTX
Abu Garcia
Further North reply :
On 3/29/2019 at 1:27 AM, Glaucus said:"Buzzing" sound from Abu Garcia LTX
sound from Abu Garcia LTX
from Abu Garcia LTX
Abu Garcia
I've no idea what you're getting at...
Glaucus reply :
On 4/1/2019 at 12:28 PM, Further North said:I've no idea what you're getting at...
I narrowed down your problem. 
Teasing of course.
Further North reply :
Update
Cleaning the bearings looked like a PITA, and I wasn't confident that it'd get the job done 100%, so I opted to get new ones, and a tool for getting to pin out of the spool shaft. The former were cheap in relation to my time, and the latter is a one-time buy useful on all my reels.
Bearings (Hedgehogs) got here today, and I swapped them out when I got home...total time...maybe 20 minutes.
Everything looked good, tied on a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook, threaded a Senko on, and pitched a cast into the bach yard.
Still buzzing.
#$(*it.
Definitely a rotational sorta sound
In the conversation with the gentleman I bought the bearings from, we talked about a 3rd bearing, under the cap of the spool tension knob. It isn't engaged during a cast, but what the heck, I've nothing to lose...so a carefully backed the cap all the way out, then in a bit a tossed the Senko.
No buzz.
Tightened it up a bit...
No buzz.
Set it like I'd use it...no buzz.
It's working great now, time will tell if it all shakes out.
Subjective evaluation: It casts wonderfully with the new bearings. Distance is surprising.
If it matters, Dawn at Smoothdrag never bothered to call me back. Disappointing.
GreenPig reply :
Bearing needs cleaning/lubing. I use an ultrasonic cleaner with acetone. I run bearings shieldless so oil is part of my tackle. Check for loose line on your spool since it's happening on the last half of the cast.
Further North reply :
On 4/6/2019 at 11:55 PM, GreenPig said:Bearing needs cleaning/lubing. I use an ultrasonic cleaner with acetone. I run bearings shieldless so oil is part of my tackle. Check for loose line on your spool since it's happening on the last half of the cast.
They might have...it was easier, and faster to change the bearings. A bit of an upgrade as well.
Line on the spool was tight, but I went ahead and re-spooled it anyway, it was a few seasons old.
related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.