What can I soak my balls in?

MilitiaMan

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OK ... now that I have your attention ...

:)

Just picked up a GT Complete and I am doing a full cleaning on it. The trackball works fine, but I want to make it even better.

I have already taken it apart and I am soaking the plastic parts in a nice solution to free up the grime (hell, I might even stick them in the dishwasher for fun).

But, what can I soak the rollers and bearing in to get them cleaned up? I am thinking soapy water might not be the best thing for them ... and when I do get them cleaned up, can I apply WD-40 or some other lubricant to get them spinning like the rims on 1980 Caprice Classic?

Opinions welcomed ...

Thanks in advance!

Steve
MM
 
Soak the bearings in a jar of marvels mystery oil for a few days. Chuck up the rollers in a drill press and polish them with emery cloth at a low speed.
 
Soak the bearings in a jar of marvels mystery oil for a few days. Chuck up the rollers in a drill press and polish them with emery cloth at a low speed.

Man ... you are a freaking genius. Bought some emery cloth today and the rollers look brand spanking new. So glad I didn't spend money on a trackball repair kit. These just weren't that bad after all ...

The bearings got a quick once over with the baby wire wheel in the dremel and are now soaking in Marvel Mystery Oil. I figure I'll leave them in there for a good 48 hours as I am in no hurry.

When I remove the bearings from the oil, I assume I need to let them drain or something for a day or two before sticking them back inside the trackball. Yes?

Steve
MM
 
The trackball in my game was so encrusted with crap when I got it that it would hardly move. It looked so bad that I actually bought a replacement without even taking it apart. While waiting for the new one to arrive, I pulled it apart, soaked the bearings in motor oil, polished the rollers with Brasso and cleaned the ball itself with 409.

There are some small wear lines on the rollers, but incredibly it worked like new. Have pics of it all pulled apart on my page if you want to take a look.
 
The trackball in my game was so encrusted with crap when I got it that it would hardly move. It looked so bad that I actually bought a replacement without even taking it apart. While waiting for the new one to arrive, I pulled it apart, soaked the bearings in motor oil, polished the rollers with Brasso and cleaned the ball itself with 409.

There are some small wear lines on the rollers, but incredibly it worked like new. Have pics of it all pulled apart on my page if you want to take a look.

I am more interested in this point at what, if anything you did with the bearings after removing them from the motor oil. Did you:

A. Put them right in to the trackball and fire it up?
B. Let them "drain" for a few days?
C. Rub them down with a paper towel and leave the rest of the oil on the bearing assembly?

Steve
MM
 
Soak the bearings in a jar of marvels mystery oil for a few days. .

after that, using some brake cleaner to spray all the shit that has clogged up the bearings over the years and let them dry, then put a drop of wd-40 or marvel oil in the bearings before you put it all back together.
 
Mental Note: Never click on any Youtube links posted by JamBurglar while at work unless the volume is turned way down ...

:)

Steve
MM
 
I am more interested in this point at what, if anything you did with the bearings after removing them from the motor oil. Did you:

A. Put them right in to the trackball and fire it up?
B. Let them "drain" for a few days?
C. Rub them down with a paper towel and leave the rest of the oil on the bearing assembly?

Steve
MM

Just wiped them down with a soft cloth, spun them with my fingers for a minute then wiped off the excess. That was over a year ago and I haven't had to do anything since. They didn't drip into the housing or anything like that.
 
And as for those balls. A little 409 and an AXE detailer works good. After words I put them in my vibrator case cleaner (since I didn't have any used brass to clean atm) Let them run for a couple days, and those suckers are like new.
 
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