I have a Stradic 4000. Lovely reel to use and yeah it's got a 399 year warranty but I never bother with those. I had it apart for a first service and found the non return bearing was rusty. Big mistake to take it apart so I just ordered a new one. After about six months in a box I finally got round to putting in back together. Solid internals and it was as smooth as until I tried it out last night by reeling in a coffee table.

As soon as line was put through the reel it started to sound like a concrete mixer. Obviously the line roller bearing was puffed. So I took it aprat. There must be ten parts to this simple device. Anyhow it was no better after much Inox so I took the bearing apart. It is tiny.

It also didn't have any balls left in the bearing . Not one. The reel was never neglected and I know that line rollers get a hard time. IMO this is the weak spot in a beautiful reel. Sometimes bigger is better. It did a years use, admittedly it got used every other weekend at least and has caught big snapper, legal kings and countless sharks. Still I think it's a shame it is just a little too clever for its own good with the bail arm roller at least.

SwordfishSteve, can I get a replacement off you?

Been there done that with the same reel Smudgie, stupid place to put a ball bearing full stop, even stupider to put an Always Rust Bearing! I had one outfit try to charge me 20 bucks for a new one, and another outfit just gave me one. My reel had only been used for catching baitfish over  a few years, not much use at all. 

Where did you get the SS bearing Mattoo?

Yes I stock Stainless bearings for these reels, give me sizes then I can match correctly, cheers swordfishsteve

I have taken Icemans recommendation and have been doing some research and found an alternative. I have spoke to some bearing suppliers and found the right size bearing in Stainless Steel. Great reels the Stradic FI series. I recently had a similar issue with my Saragossa 8000F. Although this reel doesn't use a bearing but a nylon bushing it was seized.