Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

After looking into the "Nyliner" (blue bearing shown above) issue, it seems that it is a decent bearing material but it is made of such thin material (.025"- .06" depending on bearing size) that it just looks like a problem waiting to happen.  They supposedly require no lube and the spiral split in the bearing allows for thermal expansion. The problem for me will be that the material is so thin that an upgrade to a standard bronze sleeve bearing will probably not fit into the bearing support (3 holed metal piece also shown above) without drilling.

Does anyone know why Ariens uses a different bearing (material, design & bearing support style) altogether on a Deluxe/Platinum auger rake shaft than is used on both the Compact & Professional series? Nylon (white) bearing on Deluxe platinum and thinner Nyliner (blue) bearings on the other 2 series.  At least the Nyliner material claims to be a superior bearing material although it's super thin (0.025"- 0.06") depending on bearing size.  As far as I can tell the nylon bearing is plain old cast nylon which is shown to be one of the more mediocre performing materials when compared to these new self-lubricating materials or oil impregnated bronze.  

I have a Ariens 924708-- it does not have any grease fittings for the auger bushings. I see a brass bushing but no plastic or other material  incert. I ask Ariens, they seem to give me the blow off.  I asked them how to grease it. they first said it does not need grease.  I told them it is spinning metal to metal what is to keep it from wareing out . They then said the grease fron greasing the auger shaft will find its way into the bushing.   WRONG ANSWER-   Any ideas on how to grease it.

It is probably an oil impregnated bronze sleeve bearing, also known as an Oilite bearing.  It is made from a porous SAE 841 alloy which carries between 17-20% SAE 30 oil within it's pores.  The oil acts as a cushion between the bearing and the shaft, adding resistance to shock loads (suddenly applied loads) and wear.  They are virtually maintenance free.  If you feel compelled to lube it I suppose a little additional SAE 30 oil applied into the seam where the bearing flange is showing couldn't hurt.