Bearing Quility

I have a Hustler 980. Built 1 1/4" splined axels that are 3 inches longer than stock. My outer bearings are going bad in a very short amount of time. I do understand the added stress that longer axels puts on the outer bearing. Does anyone know a a higher quality bearing that I could use. I currently have been buying the China made for 9-12$ each. I can't find any other bearings that are of higher quality. I have asked the bearing ckmpanies and the keep telling me that the centric bearing is all made in China. Please help!

Just curious. How often are the bearings going bad? Have you tried your local Napa store?

30-50 hrs if I had to guess. Not sure what napa would have. (Better quality)

Something other than bearing quality is wrong. The extra axle length shouldn't be causing this problem. I'm running bearings from Buffalo Bearing and have approximately 30 hours on them with no signs of failure. They are China made bearings. I think you have a different problem, such as excessive thrust load. For example, during assembly if the outer bearings were locked to the axle before the flange was fully tightened, then you will get a lot of side load (thrust load) on a bearing that isn't designed for such.

I believe member Dan67 did a Argo HD bearing upgrade to his, using the 72mm bearings. That should help you load a little however if you have 3 inch longer axles and 26x12x12 tires, building or buying bearing extensions will greatly ease any bearing associated axle load issue. Hustlers had too much axle hanging out to start with and you've increased that.
good luck

Timken does make a 1.25" bearing that will fit the stock hustler flanges, i used them on my 980 build after i worn out a set of cheap chinese bearings in about 15 hours of use. It's been a long time, and i don't have the part numbers but if you take the Chinese bearings into Motion Industries or a good bearing house, they should be able to swap them out. They are expensive, but worth the price. I have 8 years and about 90 hours on mine. There is also a beefy inner flange mounted browning bearing that works nicely, and it has a grease nipple.
Good Luck!

I found the part number for the Timken Bearing I used on the Hustler 980 resto. Fafnir G1103KPPB4 is the 1.25 diameter triple three ply sealed concentric collar bearing that will fit the stock Hustler 62mm Flange. They are about $90.00 each; expensive, but I replaced them over 10 years ago and they show no signs of wear. There is another one that is the same bearing but with a different outer seal that is less expensive.. Part Number G1103KRRB3, these are in the $50.00 range. Below is a breakdown. Hope this helps.

https://cad.timken.com/viewitems/ins...-ball-bearings