# popstar problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [December 24, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146 "2010-12-24T18:36:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![singdreamyo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/singdreamyo/32/732_2.png) [@singdreamyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/singdreamyo)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/1 "2010-12-24T18:36:31Z")
I hope this is in the right place… I got my popstar almost 2 weeks ago and have had no issues. I’ve been throwing it today for about 2 hours now, mainly trying to get the double or nothing down. At first I thought that since I was mostly focusing on landing the right string, etc. that my throw was getting weak, because the yo-yo was dying before I could barely finish the trick, but that was not the case. Even when I give it a nice strong throw it will only sleep for a few seconds, then tip over and stop. It also has become a lot more responsive and will return almost every time I tug it which it almost never did before. I took it apart and the motion on the bearing (that is the metal circle with YYF on it right?..sorry I know I must sound so naive.) isn’t smooth, it’s…choppy. What is wrong and what can I do? :- Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Preinfalk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/preinfalk/32/551_2.png) [@Preinfalk](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Preinfalk)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/2 "2010-12-24T18:46:56Z")
It sounds like something got into the bearing, and is causing it to be responsive. I suggest cleaning the bearing. It’s not hard, and here is a video for you. Good luck and I hope this helps. Happy Holidays :wink: [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/9/3/0/930296458cd6ba0064ec3f5aa952d4c704bed086.jpeg "Bearing Maintenance") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHb5a-kTzz8) ---
**Author:** ![singdreamyo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/singdreamyo/32/732_2.png) [@singdreamyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/singdreamyo)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/3 "2010-12-24T18:59:35Z")
Thanks so much! Is adding the lube optional? I only have thick lube at the moment… I shall get to work! 8) Happy Holidays to you too! ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/4 "2010-12-24T21:39:01Z")
A small drop of thick lube won’t hurt you. :wink: ---
**Author:** ![d4rqk0n3](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/d4rqk0n3/32/411_2.png) [@d4rqk0n3](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/d4rqk0n3)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/5 "2010-12-24T23:53:44Z")
Lube is optional, but most people swear by it, I myself run my yoyos dry (to include the Popstars) If you have a can of compressed air it works well to make sure the solvent (mineral spirits or lighter fluid) is fully evaporated and doesn’t let any residue buildup in the race. ---
**Author:** ![Hadoe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hadoe/32/713_2.png) [@Hadoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Hadoe)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 6:05am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/6 "2010-12-25T06:05:47Z")
Don’t take off the shields of the SPEC bearing before you shake it up in the mineral spirits, it may break if you do that, just speaking from personal experience. ---
**Author:** ![singdreamyo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/singdreamyo/32/732_2.png) [@singdreamyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/singdreamyo)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 5:40am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/7 "2010-12-27T05:40:55Z")
Thanks everyone for your help! ---
**Author:** ![arem250](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/arem250/32/7922_2.png) [@arem250](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/arem250)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/8 "2010-12-27T05:49:09Z")
> [@Hadoe](#): > > Don’t take off the shields of the SPEC bearing before you shake it up in the mineral spirits, it may break if you do that, just speaking from personal experience. Just a question, did you shake the bearing in the solvent like you would shake your friends soda, or nice and easy? I personally don’t shake the bearing hardly at all. Like once or twice then I let it sit. ---
**Author:** ![d4rqk0n3](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/d4rqk0n3/32/411_2.png) [@d4rqk0n3](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/d4rqk0n3)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 5:56am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/9 "2010-12-27T05:56:17Z")
> [@arem250](#): > > > [@Hadoe](#): > > > > Don’t take off the shields of the SPEC bearing before you shake it up in the mineral spirits, it may break if you do that, just speaking from personal experience. > > Just a question, did you shake the bearing in the solvent like you would shake your friends soda, or nice and easy? I personally don’t shake the bearing hardly at all. Like once or twice then I let it sit. I shake the crap out of mine, no problems with them falling apart. Just sayin’ ---
**Author:** ![Leo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@Leo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Leo)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 6:57am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/10 "2010-12-27T06:57:27Z")
> [@d4rqk0n3](#): > > > [@arem250](#): > > > > > [@Hadoe](#): > > > > > > Don’t take off the shields of the SPEC bearing before you shake it up in the mineral spirits, it may break if you do that, just speaking from personal experience. > > > > Just a question, did you shake the bearing in the solvent like you would shake your friends soda, or nice and easy? I personally don’t shake the bearing hardly at all. Like once or twice then I let it sit. > > I shake the crap out of mine, no problems with them falling apart. Just sayin’ Thats how a man does it. ---
**Author:** ![Hadoe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hadoe/32/713_2.png) [@Hadoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Hadoe)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 11:54am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/11 "2010-12-27T11:54:00Z")
> [@Leo](#): > > > [@d4rqk0n3](#): > > > > > [@arem250](#): > > > > > > > [@Hadoe](#): > > > > > > > > Don’t take off the shields of the SPEC bearing before you shake it up in the mineral spirits, it may break if you do that, just speaking from personal experience. > > > > > > Just a question, did you shake the bearing in the solvent like you would shake your friends soda, or nice and easy? I personally don’t shake the bearing hardly at all. Like once or twice then I let it sit. > > > > I shake the crap out of mine, no problems with them falling apart. Just sayin’ > > Thats how a man does it. I shake the crap out of mine, and if the shields are off it falls apart. That only goes for CBC bearings though, never had a problem with any other kind. ---
**Author:** ![d4rqk0n3](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/d4rqk0n3/32/411_2.png) [@d4rqk0n3](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/d4rqk0n3)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/12 "2010-12-27T17:30:26Z")
I’m sorry that happens to you, again I have -never- had a problem with that happening. CBC CenterTracs are my #1 favorite bearings, all of which I have deshielded and completely dry, and I am not gentle whatsoever with them during the cleaning process. Again, ymmv I am just trying to point out that just because it happened to you does -not- mean it will happen to others. So, people, feel free to be as gentle or as rough as you want with your bearings when cleaning them. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hadoe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hadoe/32/713_2.png) [@Hadoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Hadoe)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 12:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popstar-problem/22146/13 "2010-12-28T12:53:16Z")
> [@d4rqk0n3](#): > > I’m sorry that happens to you, again I have -never- had a problem with that happening. CBC CenterTracs are my #1 favorite bearings, all of which I have deshielded and completely dry, and I am not gentle whatsoever with them during the cleaning process. Again, ymmv I am just trying to point out that just because it happened to you does -not- mean it will happen to others. So, people, feel free to be as gentle or as rough as you want with your bearings when cleaning them. 😛 Just speaking from personal experience here.