rubbish needle rollers

[Brian]

There have been threads on here a few times about the lack of quality of modern caged roller bearings as found in transmission and rear hubs. This also pertains to the outboard bearing behind the differential pinion gear. I've just stripped my Columbia, less than 2000 miles since complete rebuild using all new parts throughout. For the outboard pinion bearing #18-4625A, I had fitted a brand new MADE IN USA Bower R-1304-B bearing. It is now rooted!! the end plates are soft as butter and the rollers have worn into them, also they are worn on o/d and i/d from rubbing on the races. So beware, even Yank made stuff can be crap!