Bearing Failure

[md11freighter]

Hey guys, the lower gear bearing in my chaincase failed today. I was curious how often this happens. I changed the oil 2 rides ago, (along with adjusting the track tension) and there was no metal in it.
Luckily we were only about 2 miles away from the truck on a lake, so we just picked it up and drove home. It could have been much worse, two weeks ago we were 26 miles into the interior of Alaska.
How bad is it to put new bearings in, or should I just use my chaincase from my parts sled?

Thanks

 

[bravo-guy]

I lost the bearing in my Mountain Lite last week!!! Im not sure how it failed, but there were some ball bearings that where literally split in 2 pieces. Did your chaincase sound like it had gears stripped out inside? Almost like a crunching sound? That was what mine sounded like. If this one is gone, the opposite side bearing on the shaft may be gone to, it was on mine. That was like me, the day before I lost the bearing, we were on an all day ride, like 40 kms from home. Luckily, it happened the next day within 6 kms of riding. As for changing it, I had to take apart the whole chaincase which on mine also involved taking off the brakes and parking brakes. The other side of the shaft is a bit different. if that bearing is gone, i can't really help you there. if your sled has reverse, its not any easier. In my chaincase, there like 2 as many gears to fool with because of reverse.

 

[daman]

easy theres just a C clip that holds it into the case remove that and the bearing can be replaced,take the cover off and it's right there in front of
the bearing.

 

[md11freighter]

If theres supposed to be a bearing on the shaft that goes into the drive it is not there. I'll look for the snap ring and buy the bearings. Thanks Daman.