# Clean Northstar bearing with deathgrip spacers?

**URL:** <https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/clean-northstar-bearing-with-deathgrip-spacers/296507>\
**Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\
**Created:** [December 21, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/clean-northstar-bearing-with-deathgrip-spacers/296507 "2018-12-21T19:59:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Throwto100](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/throwto100/32/87184_2.png) [@Throwto100](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Throwto100)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/clean-northstar-bearing-with-deathgrip-spacers/296507/1 "2018-12-21T19:59:42Z")

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I have a new northstar, and it has some kind of hair, most likely mine or from my dog, in the bearing. Would putting it in the lighter fluid I use to clean my bearings help, or would air, water, or something else be a good solution? I thought I had a protostar so maybe I’d swap the bearing, but it hasn’t turned up yet.  
Thanks,  
Throwto100

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**Author:** ![Jhonaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhonaker/32/49024_2.png) [@Jhonaker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jhonaker)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/clean-northstar-bearing-with-deathgrip-spacers/296507/2 "2018-12-21T20:02:51Z")

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Did you attempt to remove the shields first? If you remove them you will likely be able to remove the hair and do a good cleaning.

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**Author:** ![YoYoExpertGarrett](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyoexpertgarrett/32/1543_2.png) [@YoYoExpertGarrett](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoYoExpertGarrett)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2018, 8:14pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/clean-northstar-bearing-with-deathgrip-spacers/296507/3 "2018-12-21T20:14:31Z")

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A small flathead screwdriver is the key to removing the spacers. A little patience and a lot of gentle prying will get the job done. Then you can just clean the bearing as usual.

I don’t remember where I got this one, but it works well.

 ![IMG_7645](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/c/5/1/c51b60586b0fac7e3983bbd5c0bc0accc61b6bdf.jpeg)

 ![IMG_7644](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/6/a/3/6a3922d3a0a888c90dc118bd63a230f9b011c2a2.jpeg)

Edit: It took me like 5 minutes to get that spacer off and the only reason I put it on was to take a picture for this response! 🤣

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**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/clean-northstar-bearing-with-deathgrip-spacers/296507/4 "2018-12-21T20:43:52Z")

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> [@YoYoExpertGarrett](#):
>
> Edit: It took me like 5 minutes to get that spacer off and the only reason I put it on was to take a picture for this response! 🤣

Respect 🤜💥🤛

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**Author:** ![anon5341354](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@anon5341354](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anon5341354)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 10:04am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/clean-northstar-bearing-with-deathgrip-spacers/296507/5 "2018-12-22T10:04:50Z")

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Those old Northstar/Protostar spacers are a joke. It’s a crime that they came out the other end of YYF’s R&D.