RECALLING THE QUOTE FROM ANTRON BROWN'S CREW CHIEF MARK PIESER, “TO REALLY DO A GOOD JOB OF REDUCING FRICTION, IT”S ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS. PENNIES MAKE NICKELS, DIMES AND QUARTERS, YOU HAVE TO START WITH THE PENNIES”.
AND BEARINGS ARE ONE AREA YOU DO NOT WANT TO OVERLOOK. WHY? BECAUSE THEY TAKE A LOT OF ABUSE IN THE PROCESS OF CONVERTING FORCE INTO ROTATION.
TAKE A DIRT BIKE OUTPUT SHAFT FOR EXAMPLE. THINK OF THE SHOCK LOADS A COUNTERSHAFT BEARING HAS TO DEAL WITH. DRAG CAR REAR AXLE BEARINGS ARE ANOTHER EXAMPLE. LAUNCH LOADS, SHOCK LOADS FROM TIRE SHAKE AND THE CONSTANT HITS AT EVERY GEAR CHANGE.
The question we’ve been asked for years is “How much better are they and are they worth it?” Our answer is simple. Take a typical steel bearing and do a spin-down test and note the time. If we coat that same bearing with MicroBlue® and re-test it, will see an increase in spin-down time of 20-25%. Now let’s up the game to a MicroBlue® coated ceramic. That bearing will improve the spin-down time an additional 20-25%, for a total increase in spin-down time of 40-50%.
Let’s look at 2-stroke crank bearings. Not so much shock there, but they live in a constantly changing high RPM world. The beauty of that engine is its fast response to throttle changes. Now why would you use heavy steel balls when ceramic balls are one-third the weight?
To understand why ceramic bearings roll so much better, it's how the balls are made. The unique process of forming ceramic balls results in a ball that is far more “rounder” than conventional steel balls. They are truly round, whereas steel balls are somewhat oblong, not to mention heavy. That free-spin you feel with a ceramic comes from truly round balls.
Another great thing about ceramics is they’re virtually indestructible. Put a ceramic ball on a concrete floor and hit it with a hammer, it doesn't break. However, it’s very difficult to find a high quality ceramic bearing that doesn’t come from China, and most don't know where to look. That's why we have only used Cerbec balls from St. Gobain for over 18 years. And we’re pleased to say that we have never had a material failure in that time.
Chinese Imports: The problem with the imports is one, virtually all the balls start out as steel balls that are ceramic coated. When the load is high enough to distort the steel ball, the “eggshell” breaks. Not a big problem in a kart wheel bearing, but look out when you put them in a crank assembly. Two, the silicon nitride they use is porous and brittle, and breaks down and is abrasive and damages the races. This is no place to save money. Is there a way to tell? One way is the color of the balls. Dark colored, “brownish” or dark gray balls are a good sign. On the other hand, light colored balls, light gray or even white are usually bad news.
The takeaway? The best ceramic bearings are virtually indestructible. So when someone tells you about a failure, just ask him where they came from. Chances are they won’t know, that's why an informed buyer is a smart buyer.
AND FINALLY, YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW BEARINGS FAIL. BEARING FAILURE ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN THE BALLS OR ROLLERS STOP ROLLING AND START SKIDDING.
FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, SOMETHING HAS TO WEDGE BETWEEN THE BALL/ROLLER AND THE RACE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. IT MIGHT BE DEBRIS OR IT MAY BE PART OF THE BEARING RACE THAT FLAKED OFF AND THOSE SMALL PIECES STOPPED EVERYTHING FROM ROLLING.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, CAGES DO NOT FAIL. WHEN THE BALL/ROLLER STARTS SKIDDING, THE SIDE FORCE DESTROYS THE CAGE. THEY'RE ALWAYS THE FIRST TO GO.
"WHEN IT COMES TO RACING, YOU'RE EITHER THERE TO WIN, OR YOU'RE THERE FOR A FASHION SHOW. SO IF YOU'RE THERE TO WIN AND YOU CAN MAKE SOMETHING BETTER, WHY WOULD YOU NOT DO IT?"
Congratulations, we hope you now understand how MicroBlue® Engine Technology gives you the advantage the "big-guys" never even thought of.