Ok, I got my Panther all up and running and then bam, the bearing on the chaincase drive went. Not the jackshaft bearing on that side but the drive bearing. Wrecked a couple gears and I am sure toasted the chain. Looks like a couple hundred or more to fix. Here is my question. That lower bearing is not sealed and gets oil from the chaincase. Looks like a good setup as long as nothing gets in the chaincase. Have any of you changed that bearing to a sealed bearing??? Sure would take care of getting something in there that would contaminate the bearing and take it out. The whole thing was full of metal, but I am sure that was from trying to keep going for a bit and the chain slipping over the gears. I really think a sealed bearing is the way to go, but I am leary about trying this and having it fail for whatever reason. Any thoughts???

If you are talking about either bearing in the chain case then I have never seen one that wasn't sealed.I have also never seen one go.I have ran over 12000 miles on ZRTs and only ever changed the left jackshaft bearing and the lower drive axel bearing on the left side plus the suspension bearings about every 5000 miles.I beleive some oil from the case has to get into this bearing.I think someone removed the seal and maybe your case ran dry of oil.

I have seen a few differant bearings for that side and I like the steel sealed one best. it allows some oil to get in but the larger pieces of metal from the chain and gear stay out. That bearing usualy last a long time.

the bearings gears and chain are not that expensive. if the case is damaged beyond use than you can find a used one cheap.

I bet if you look around and do the work yourself you can get i fixed for less than $200.
I know I have or can get a used chain case and 13wide chain for dirt cheap.

The lower drive axle is the most expensive part. Hopefully it is still good.

It's a good time to do all 4 bearings upper and lower.

Hey thanks for the reply. There was oil in the chaincase along with all the filings and very small gear parts. I have never had either chaincase bearing go before but that has all changed. I realize that an unsealed bearing needs oil and the oil in the chaincase provides this. But, if some foreign particle would get into the oil and be missed by the magnet, it sure would seem to make a mess of the bearing. I was just wondering if anyone had experimented with installing a sealed bearing on the bottom drive shaft and hearing the results. Maybe like you said, the unsealed, oiled bearing is the best way to go and that I am looking at it all wrong. If I don't hear from anyone else, I am just going with OEM bearings. They are twice the money as others, but with all the work of tearing things down, it's better to pay a little more now and get something of better quality. Thanks again for your input.

we use sealed john deere bearings at all four locations on jackshaft and track shaft with excellent results.
joe

You do realize that almost no oil is at the bottom of the chaincsae when driving the sled, most is on the top.

Don