Advice Please

[Jamesp]

Originally Posted by Gelbster

One anecdote to support James caveat.
The OP of my car replaced the IMSB with a good quality open bearing(1 seal removed) from a reputable source just before I bought the car. It lasted me 10 days before the engine started knocking - #5 c/s bearing.Total diy rebuild. Financial fiasco but great learning experience.

The problem with an open bearing and metal in the oil is that the metal will end up in the open bearing with the lubricating oil. The metal will get smashed between the rolling elements and the races in the bearing damaging both causing a phenomenon called brinelling. Brinelling is a failure mode in bearings that feeds on itself, starts with the bearing microscopically damaging itself as it runs, but quickly balloons into a catastrophic failure as the bearing damages itself more and more. Metal in the oil contaminates an open bearing and starts this process. A sealed bearing limits the possibility of this happening.