# MR85 bearings - how to keep them responsive
**URL:** https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643
**Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance
**Created:** [July 7, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643 "2026-07-07T19:49:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 17
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Lido](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Lido)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/1 "2026-07-07T19:49:44Z")
The RBC and all the MR85 bearing responsive yoyos are great. But how do you keep them responsive? I try to put thick lube in the bearing, but the bearings are so tiny it gets on the outside of the bearing and the string etc and gets messy. Granted it’s a tiny mess, but just wondering if there’s a better way or tips to keep it in the actual bearing. Also, whatever I’m doing tends to only last a few days and the response starts getting late and less predictable. I alternate between Thick Lube and that very old Brain Lube someone was selling on here a few years ago and both seem the same.
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### Author:  [@Slestak75](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slestak75)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/3 "2026-07-07T20:43:30Z")
I don’t know. I play mine with a dry bearing and it’s as responsive as it was the day I got it. Nice and snappy.
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### Author:  [@Lido](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Lido)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/4 "2026-07-07T20:56:22Z")
You put a tiny bit onto a toothpick and then use the toothpick to apply it? I’ll try that. Even a small drop is wider than the gap between the inner and outer race.
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### Author:  [@Slestak75](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Slestak75)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/5 "2026-07-07T21:12:39Z")
If you have gotten oil on the pads they may have been compromised. You may try new pads. I have found the black Origen pads are a tad more grippy than the clear RBC pads.
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### Author:  [@neonfishingrod](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/neonfishingrod)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/7 "2026-07-07T21:58:25Z")
having to re-grease your bearings every few days is just part of playing responsive. i kinda just rub whatever oil into/onto the shields and hope it gets in there and it seems to work ok
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### Author:  [@AudreySickburn](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AudreySickburn)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/8 "2026-07-07T22:23:04Z")
I buy greased rubber shielded bearings now, I feel like they hold up better. Am going to be using them in all my future mr85 releases.
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### Author:  [@washyjoshe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/washyjoshe)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/9 "2026-07-08T02:36:58Z")
Might be worth trying thicker string as well if you have it handy. 🤷♂️
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### Author:  [@Bountiful](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Bountiful)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/10 "2026-07-08T08:31:20Z")
As others have mentioned, you can shop for a thicker string. but also thicker pads too. Well… maybe not thicker but softer for a stronger grab, read the description to see if it mentions responsive play.
update: probably listen to the guy who said not to do this because I have no idea what I’m talking about
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### Author:  [@SmashYoyos](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SmashYoyos)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 11:59am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/11 "2026-07-08T11:59:59Z")
Do NOT get thicker pads lol. Just use traxxas grease. Also who cares if it gets outside the bearing. I just put the grease between the bearing and the yoyo, not in the bearing balls. Just keep it clean so it doesmt get on the pad.
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### Author:  [@GnarlyCharlie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GnarlyCharlie)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/12 "2026-07-08T15:05:31Z")
With certain MR85 bearing yoyos I’ve noticed a bricked bearing gets similar spin time and removes any maintenance associated with it.
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### Author:  [@Overtinkering](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Overtinkering)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/13 "2026-07-08T17:02:36Z")
I agree with @SmashYoyos here on the traxx or I’m into the superlube personally.
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### Author:  [@Lido](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Lido)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/14 "2026-07-08T18:25:22Z")
Thanks everyone. Used a toothpick on them all last night and everything is snapping well except one so I ordered some of the above mentioned rubber sealed ones as well to see how those do. I don’t want to gum up the works too much because part of the RBC joy is that fast spin and accompanying bearing sound.
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### Author:  [@SlowThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SlowThrow)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/15 "2026-07-08T18:43:11Z")
I got lucky and had a bunch of left over tubes of the thickest, stickiest silicone ive ever seen from doing a few sets of energy suspension eurathane bushings. Injecting this into a bearing with a drop of V4M is my personal perfection
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### Author:  [@Lido](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Lido)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 7:01pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/16 "2026-07-08T19:01:42Z")
Thinking about it there are some art store syringes that I got a few years ago to try to paint the little channel in a Shuriken yoyo the way they did in the Triptych video. Could probably really target the bearings with one of those.
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### Author:  [@Tokesmagotes](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Tokesmagotes)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/17 "2026-07-08T20:22:43Z")
Soak in oil in corner of zip lock bag if this hasnt been said yet, vac seal bag with mouth ha
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### Author:  [@Lido](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Lido)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/18 "2026-07-08T20:52:29Z")
What kind of oil to you use? 3-in-one?
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### Author:  [@Tokesmagotes](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Tokesmagotes)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/mr85-bearings-how-to-keep-them-responsive/448643/19 "2026-07-08T20:59:33Z")
Brain lube has been an option i use for thicker. I was also using boker