# Unresponsive yoyo acting responsive (not a bearing issue) **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [December 23, 2025, 1:27am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119 "2025-12-23T01:27:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HereLater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/839c29/32.png) [@HereLater](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/HereLater)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 1:27am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/1 "2025-12-23T01:27:29Z")
Hello everyone. I recently bought an iYoYo Shooting Star and have been having issues with getting it to play unresponsively. I had initially over-lubed the unresponsive bearing when I had first installed it, making it play responsively. I tried spinning the lube out both manually and using canned air, but eventually decided to clean it. I soaked it in mineral spirit for several minutes while spinning the container around and spinned the bearing as it dried. Yet, even after this, the yoyo still played responsively. Interestingly, even after swapping the bearing for one I had never applied lube to, the yoyo was still responsive. This was after I had cleaned the area where the bearing sits too. Not even changing the string helps. When I say the yoyo is being responsive, I specifically mean that it comes back to the hand after a tug. The harder the yoyo is thrown, the less of a tug it need to respond. It makes tricks like the plastic whip impossible unless the yoyo is thrown gently. Has anyone ever experienced something similar? What should I do about this? ---
**Author:** ![ChrisFrancz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/chrisfrancz/32/48992_2.png) [@ChrisFrancz](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ChrisFrancz)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 1:34am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/2 "2025-12-23T01:34:29Z")
Maybe there was a narrow C bearing put in the yoyo by mistake. Post a photo of the gap with the string removed. ---
**Author:** ![HereLater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/839c29/32.png) [@HereLater](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/HereLater)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 2:41am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/3 "2025-12-23T02:41:35Z")
Here is an image of the gap. This bearing is identical in size and shape to the one included with the magicyoyo V3, if that helps. ![IMG_20251222_213656763](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/f/a/d/fad28874697e2af440f02ec15bfd5676ea128e58.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![mikeydoe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mikeydoe/32/301589_2.png) [@mikeydoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mikeydoe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 2:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/4 "2025-12-23T02:45:35Z")
Swap out the pads and check the axle, make sure that sucker’s tight. ---
**Author:** ![mikeydoe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mikeydoe/32/301589_2.png) [@mikeydoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mikeydoe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/5 "2025-12-23T02:46:41Z")
Does this yoyo have spacers? Flip the spacers around if it does. Seems like it shouldn’t matter but sometimes they really only go one way ---
**Author:** ![Splizacular](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/splizacular/32/640487_2.png) [@Splizacular](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Splizacular)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 3:48am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/6 "2025-12-23T03:48:30Z")
ive had mixed results with mineral spirits. the method ive started using that has been the only one ive achieved 100% success with is as follows, ymmv: make sure your bearing is deshielded. start with dawn dish soap. use a small brush like a toothbrush and wash it out well having put the soap directly in the bearing and rinse thoroughly. blow out excess water. place in 100% acetone. swish around for about 30 seconds. let it sit for 5 min. remove and spin out the excess liquid. let dry for about 5-10 min. flick it a few times to make sure its dry and spinning freely. using a q tip and rubbing alcohol swab the bearing seat on both yoyo halves _very thoroughly_ until q tip remains clean after swabbing. reassemble. fresh string. avoid lube ---
**Author:** ![ChrisFrancz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/chrisfrancz/32/48992_2.png) [@ChrisFrancz](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ChrisFrancz)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 4:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/7 "2025-12-23T04:13:06Z")
Just switch bearings. Maybe the bearing is just shot. If it’s clean it should spin when you flick it with your finger. Is the string double wrapped on the bearing? People who do looping sometimes double wrap the string around the bearing for more responsiveness. The bearing might just be garbage. It’s good to have extras around. I usually buy a pack of them. ---
**Author:** ![Yooo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yooo/32/196320_2.png) [@Yooo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yooo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 4:15am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/8 "2025-12-23T04:15:07Z")
I had to clean my Shooting Star bearing a few times to get it clean when I got it. Mine just became scratchy and responsive on it’s own. They told me they use YYF Dark Matter in a message and apparently that’s graphite and it clumps up. I’d try cleaning it some more maybe if you are willing. I used Acetone and an air compressor after soaking it. ---
**Author:** ![TCK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/tck/32/632160_2.png) [@TCK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TCK)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 6:15am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/9 "2025-12-23T06:15:20Z")
I have given up on mineral spirits and moved to lighter fluid. Have never done Dawn like another poster suggested, but that is going to remove any grease for sure. When I clean, I then stuff the bearing on to a pencil and spin it. If I do not get 60 seconds, I repeat. ---
**Author:** ![ArjanJojoman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/arjanjojoman/32/645229_2.png) [@ArjanJojoman](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ArjanJojoman)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 12:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/10 "2025-12-23T12:43:31Z")
Cleaning a bearing properly isn’t easy. If you tried and it didn’t work it just means it’s not cleaned enough. Lighter fluid and fire works best for me. I never had good results with other cleaning methodes ---
**Author:** ![ArjanJojoman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/arjanjojoman/32/645229_2.png) [@ArjanJojoman](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ArjanJojoman)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/11 "2025-12-23T12:44:03Z")
It’s really unnecessary to change the pads at this point ---
**Author:** ![GTDropKnot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gtdropknot/32/212400_2.png) [@GTDropKnot](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GTDropKnot)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 1:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/12 "2025-12-23T13:08:30Z")
The gold on those gold coated bearings flakes off and can gunk up the bearings making them respond. If youre swapping between the goldcoated ones, try to clean a bearing without that gold coating and use that. Bearing maintenance sucks. I am guessing that both of the bearings youre using have problems. It happens. Try to just cop some new bearings if possible. If that isnt possible, just clean them until they stop responding, might take a bunch of repetitions through the cleaning cycle unfortunately. ---
**Author:** ![NuroVolt7](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nurovolt7/32/671908_2.png) [@NuroVolt7](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/NuroVolt7)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 1:09pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/13 "2025-12-23T13:09:14Z")
I think that might just be lighting, bro 😅 ---
**Author:** ![ChrisFrancz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/chrisfrancz/32/48992_2.png) [@ChrisFrancz](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ChrisFrancz)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/14 "2025-12-23T13:12:54Z")
Sounds like the bearing is just bad. If after all these methods it’s still responsive just put a good bearing in the yoyo and have fun. It’s just a bearing. Order a pack of bearings and move on. ---
**Author:** ![mikeydoe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mikeydoe/32/301589_2.png) [@mikeydoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mikeydoe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/15 "2025-12-23T14:45:26Z")
Unless when they over lubed the bearing they got oil on the pads which caused them to swell or come loose and stick out a bit ---
**Author:** ![ArjanJojoman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/arjanjojoman/32/645229_2.png) [@ArjanJojoman](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ArjanJojoman)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 6:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/16 "2025-12-23T18:36:36Z")
Thats possible but unlikely and also easily visible if that is the case. ---
**Author:** ![HereLater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/839c29/32.png) [@HereLater](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/HereLater)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/17 "2025-12-23T19:54:28Z")
This is possible. I switched out the bearing with an identical, unlubed one from another yoyo and, although it was slightly less responsive, it still definitely responded. What would be the visual signs of this happening? ---
**Author:** ![HereLater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/839c29/32.png) [@HereLater](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/HereLater)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/18 "2025-12-23T20:00:33Z")
I had swapped it with an identical bearing from my magicyoyo V3, but the yoyo was still responsive (although ever so slightly less so). I’m not entirely sure if it’s a bearing issue. ---
**Author:** ![mikeydoe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mikeydoe/32/301589_2.png) [@mikeydoe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mikeydoe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/19 "2025-12-23T21:36:48Z")
The pads would stick out above the yoyo a little bit, or they would move. If you have extra pads i’d just swap em if I was you. And you’re sure there’s no spacers? ---
**Author:** ![HereLater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/839c29/32.png) [@HereLater](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/HereLater)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119/20 "2025-12-24T00:19:37Z")
Small update: This is definitely not a bearing issue. I tested the Shooting Star bearing in my V3 and it works fine. It’s slightly more responsive than the one that came with the V3 (likely still due to my initial over-lubing) but it never returned to the hand unless I tugged really hard. Tricks like the plastic whip did not trigger a response no matter how hard I threw the yoyo initially. Also, I took a picture of the response pads. Does anything seem wrong? ![IMG_20251223_191810023](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/c/7/8/c78b53252d8d760f46117cee07b6663f6567e052.jpeg) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/unresponsive-yoyo-acting-responsive-not-a-bearing-issue/438119.md?page=2)