I’ve been swapping out the bushings in my Shimano 500 size reels , hoping to get the feel of my Soare XR out of my less expensive Shimano 500 reels .

I’ve completed this in my four Sahara reels using line roller bearing kits that came from Hedghog .

I was researching and reading on the opinions of others .
Most agree that a week maintained and oiled bushing in certain areas are less troublesome and just as efficient as ball bearings.

After “ upgrading “ my Shimano Sahara 500’s , I’ve been using them comparing Daiwa J- braid and Floroclear 2# line .

Both times using the reels with the ball bearing kits and braid I’ve experienced a lot of frustrating wind knots . And it was windy both days . But , I’ve used braid in the wind several times before on several different reels , especially on my Soare XR and Soare bb reels and only got a couple of wind knots ever .
My biggest issue before was the braid blowing in a bow reducing my feel .
I think the introduction of ball bearings kits in my line rollers on my Sahara 500’s caused me to have wind knots .

What do you think ?

If so I maybe introducing a problem into my Soare bb’s .
I’m going hold off putting bearing kits in any more line rollers, and I’m changing the Saharas back to bushings and give them another try with the braid .
I want to have spools setup with both types of line so I can swap them out depending on the fishing situation.