FW: 164 tranny input bearing

["Hardwick, Robert C" <Robert.Hardwick@domain.elided>]

> Just a minor clarification of Digest lore:  My '91 was making the dreaded "bearing death rattle".  Had it replaced over the weekend.  (~$800 labor but with clutch, cigarette seals, etc bill was much higher)
> 
> Digest lore has it that failure is due to plastic cages, with the replacement having metal cages.  Nope.  Original bearing has balls.  Replacement has rollers.  Everything else being equal, roller bearings have greater load capacity (line vs point contact).  They also cost a little more.  
> 
> The removed bearing had spalling on both inner and outer races at only 62,000 miles.  Fluid had been changed from OEM Dexron to synthetic 90W at the 30,000 mile service.  If not inadequate lubrication or very high number of cycles, then failure points to insufficient dynamic load rating. Synchros and other bits were fine, just reassembled with the new bearing.
> 
> If they hadn't used rollers on the S models, one might think that they went with balls to get some shaft misalignment capability, but looks like simple greed.  That being said, I still love the car.  Guess I'm an Alfista! (bad news for Fiat if they want to market to general consumers, though)
> 
> Robert Hardwick, Seattle
> 

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