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2009-2011 Diamond Drive Bearing Failure

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ARCTIC

Active member
Lifetime Membership
Nov 29, 2007
138
25
28
Boise, Idaho
Bearing failure

I just pulled the DD apart on my 09m8 sp. The bearing looks fine but better safe than sorry so I contacted BDX and have a new double row bearing on its way. The sled has just over 600 miles on it. I had a concern regarding the parts blowup. On the blowup #10 called input shaft, it shows a #11 bearing just like the one in question. My DD has an open bearing here not a sealed 6023. Can anyone explain this. Did A/C change the part or what? By the way I talked to the parts guy at my local dealer and he was not aware of any bearing failure. I dont think many people have opened the DD on this new of sled.
 

RickM

Well-known member
Premium Member
May 25, 2006
542
242
43
Central Wyoming
incorrect parts identification

You are correct in noticing that Item # 11 are actually two different bearings.
I will post what i have found when i did the original findings on my bearing failure.

Under the parts breakdown, group # 10 lists it as a shaft input ( correct )
# 11 bearing is NOT part number 1602-981, it is a 6203 bearing.

Under the parts breakdown, group # 12 lists it as a gear transfer ( correct)
#11 bearing is correct as 1602-981, it is aprox. 1 13/16 OD. x 1 " ID.

The 6203 sealed bearing is the one that fails. My 6203 bearing was sealed on both sides, I cant believe they put a non-sealed bearing in yours. maybe they tried to make a change in production. Hope this helps you out.
 
R
Mar 25, 2009
495
80
28
Palmer,AK.
What is the full PN# for that double row bearing? Tried getting one at NAPA and those idiots couldn't figure it out with "just" 5203.
They say there must be a prefix with the # to indicate the maker, ect...
 
G

GF2

Member
Nov 26, 2007
167
14
18
53
Spokane WA
I have a 09 m8 I just pulled my dd apart 1400 miles and every thing looks good , but I still ordered the double bearing for peace of mind .

Very informative thread thanks.
 

RickM

Well-known member
Premium Member
May 25, 2006
542
242
43
Central Wyoming
Ripsass

Your local napa guy needs to learn his parts, ha
the 6203 and 5203 are common numbers used in bearings, you should be able to walk in and say " I need a 5203 bearing " and they should be able to look in the bearing book and walk back to their shelf and get one.
( sorry im laughing while i type this, because of some people that say they are parts men really aren't.) you knew more about what you wanted than the guy on the other side of the counter. sorry. try O"Reiley's
 
R
Mar 25, 2009
495
80
28
Palmer,AK.
Your local napa guy needs to learn his parts, ha
the 6203 and 5203 are common numbers used in bearings, you should be able to walk in and say " I need a 5203 bearing " and they should be able to look in the bearing book and walk back to their shelf and get one.
( sorry im laughing while i type this, because of some people that say they are parts men really aren't.) you knew more about what you wanted than the guy on the other side of the counter. sorry. try O"Reiley's




That's what I tried to tell him. In three different ways...

It's a standardized part number. Just get me a 5203, I don't care who makes it.
They didn't have a damn clue.
 
M
Dec 10, 2007
67
4
8
Edmonton Alberta
Thanks BD Xtreme a question for you your lite weights DD dont come in reverse i heard so if i buy the gears and bearing kit does it come with the new bearing aswell? I have a 2008 M8 SP thanks
 
R
Mar 25, 2009
495
80
28
Palmer,AK.
OK, did some research today.

Called bearing supply house today. 5203 has been superseded with this number.
SKF-3203-A
Should be a good PN# that can be gotten about anywhere. They had it for $30 bucks locally.
 

Frostbite

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Dec 15, 2007
4,738
721
113
Eastern Washington
So, if I buy this 5203 or SKF-3203A bearing from a local auto parts store, it will be the same (and every bit as good) as what BDX will ship me?

Should I still buy my Diamond Drive oil from BDX or can I get that at NAPA too?

Sorry, I'm new to Cat and have never even looked in a Diamond drive before but, you guys have sure got my attention.

Thank you

Frostbite
 
M
Jul 5, 2001
662
18
18
Wyoming
OIl

Save yourself some money and just get some marvel Mystery Oil and fill you case.
We been running them this way for 4 years now and chenge oil every season.
Ya dont need some magicial fluid that just splashes and lubs your cases
 

Frostbite

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Dec 15, 2007
4,738
721
113
Eastern Washington
Mountain Doo, are you kidding?

I'm thinking that while the sled is under warranty it may be in my best interest to run the actual prescribed oil until the warranty expires.

If it doesn't matter what oil I use, I have a bunch of synthetic gear lube from Walmart I could use? I have been using it in the chain cases of my other sleds.
 
R
Mar 25, 2009
495
80
28
Palmer,AK.
quik search from google
http://store.eurtonelectric.com/bearing5203premium-1.aspx
local bearing shop had a couple



The bearing store told me to run the SKF-3203-A because the one with the rubber seals on the sides is a "sealed" bearing that can't use the lube from inside the DD unit.

Is there a seal on the outside of the DD case past the bearing, or is the sealed bearing required to keep the fluid in the case?
 
R

Rms Rydning

Well-known member
Sep 30, 2006
285
72
28
North Norway
6203 17x40x12mm
3203-A 17x40x17,5mm
5203-A 17x40x17,5mm

The 3203-A/ 5203-A is 5,5mm wider,how do you get space to this bearing in the stock case?

I have used NJ 203 17x40x12mm, witch has the same dimension as the stock 6203.But is a cylindrical roller bearing so I`m not sure of how much sideload it can take,but have very worked good.
 
Last edited:

sledr900

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Nov 21, 2007
270
123
43
WSS, MT
Remove the spacer.

There is a spacer that sits behind the stock 6203 bearing that you remove and the 5203 bearing fits perfectly. Almost, seems like it was machined like this so that when the single row bearings started to fail the double row would fit right on?
 
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