[southernstar]

I didn't say that NO conclusions can be drawn, only that at this point we cannot resolve the issue about the overall efficacy of direct oil feeding the bearing - and both the LN Solution and DOF utilize pressurized oil feed.

I did not say (nor do I believe) that a ceramic bearing would not be better than a steel ball bearing - and with DOF, one can choose either. Of course, seeing as the original dual-row bearings have now been tested in HUGE numbers for at least 12 years and have failed at a rate of less than 1% in spite of mileage, use and oil change frequency, I could certainly see why someone might replace it with a new steel dual-row bearing.

If you have the large single-row bearing that cannot be replaced or upgraded without tearing down the engine and do not wish to pay for the tear down, then IMO you would be better off installing DOF and removing the outer seal: at least that will ensure that the bearing does not fry itself on a mixture of old grease and oil (which seems to have precededed virtually all the IMS bearing failures).

If you have the smaller single-row bearing, then all choices are available to you. You believe that upgrading to a ceramic single-row would be the best solution; I believe that upgrading with a new ceramic bearing AND DOF would be better than simply an upgrade. I also believe that the LN Solution, if you can afford it, is probably the best solution (as it replaces the ball bearing with one that has proven trouble free, with proper lubrication, on the other end of the IMS). Who is right? As I said, at this stage we cannot know. Time will tell.

Brad