Poll, Condition of my IMS bearing

[epapp]

I suppose the grease being washed out could be a 'stage' of failure, but if the bearing has engine oil to lubricate it, whats wrong with being in 'stage 2' failure for 150,000 miles?

[woodsman]

That all depends on how fast the bearing progresses through the phases of destruction and if the bearing was designed for grease oil is a poor substitute. You haven't read much about this issue have you?

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by epapp

I suppose the grease being washed out could be a 'stage' of failure, but if the bearing has engine oil to lubricate it, whats wrong with being in 'stage 2' failure for 150,000 miles?

A lot.. Because as soon as an IMSB progresses to Stage III, chances of a long term retrofit without collateral damage is greatly reduced.

[epapp]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

A lot.. Because as soon as an IMSB progresses to Stage III, chances of a long term retrofit without collateral damage is greatly reduced.

Sure, I understand a bearing progressing to other 'stages' of failure is BAD.

What I meant was, if the IMS gets oil, like the OPs was full of, why would it fail? Yes, the older the oil gets, the steeper the positive slope gets on the probability of failure curve, but hypothetically if the bearing gets some fresh oil now and then, how long would it be 'fine' in 'stage 2' failure?? Thats what I'm wondering..