Question about new ABEC-5 bearings

[Shocker]

I bought new Shimano ABEC-5 bearings for my reels, the bearings are open and do not have any covers. Are they supposed to have covers on them? Do I use the covers from my old bearings or where do I buy them?

[Bantam1]

Those are not ABEC 5 bearings. You must have ARB bearings. The ARB bearings are dark in color and do not have shields. The ABEC 5 bearings we offer are stainless and have shields.

[Bantam1]

Those are not ABEC 5 bearings. You must have ARB bearings. The ARB bearings are dark in color and do not have shields. The ABEC 5 bearings we offer are stainless and have shields.

[Bantam1]

Those are not ABEC 5 bearings. You must have ARB bearings. The ARB bearings are dark in color and do not have shields. The ABEC 5 bearings we offer are stainless and have shields.

[Shocker]

Ok, so the question is do I have to have covers or can I run them with out the covers?

[Bantam1]

Wow my post went up 3 times...weird

You do not need the shields. This makes it easier to clean and lubricate the bearings without them.

[chunkn' charlie]

Mine did that Mine did that Mine did that three time the other day too.

I use ARB bearings in all of my reels and i have been very happy with them.

[Shocker]

Thanks I thought it would be better with out the shields that way they can roll like butter, plus I clean my reels constantly I can't stand any resistance.

Attached is a pic of the bearings I bought from Academy, so what you are telling me these are not actual ABEC 5 bearings they are a knock off?

[Bantam1]

Where did you get that? Those are ARB bearings in the wrong bag with the wrong header card.

[gordoleo]

I bought those same exact bearings about a year ago, and they are awesome. Academy used to carry those. If I remember correctly, they are a little different than the ARB bearings that came with one of my reels.