T-20 shaft bearing lifespan?

[Rusty-Gunn]

Hi, our Max IV needs an overhaul. Its now at 400 hours.
How long does the output shaft bearings last, generally speaking? Should I trade them out regardless of condition? Thank you

[Mike]

I can't answer how long they will last but if you are tearing it down for an overhaul anyway, I would go ahead and replace them. It's so easy when you have it apart. If they happened to go out on you after you already rebuilt everything else, you'll be kicking yourself.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Sounds good. I will be ordering bearings then. Thanks Mike.

[wedge]

Not being as educated as I would like to be on the T20.(as of yet) But I would think 400 hours is Low for hours for needing bearing already ?
Unless it was run low on oil ??

[Rusty-Gunn]

We changed trans fluid every 60 hous as recommended. And then again the beginning of summer (the Max was stored away during the winter, only being used during the summer).
We used 28 ounces of NAPA Type FA fluid mixed with 4 ounce bottle of Equa-Torque.
The trans was never low on fluid.

[egoperf]

Those bearings should last many more hours. I have well over 1000 hrs on mine without any problems

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thanks for the response. We decided to wait until spring to work on our T-20. Its rather cold out right now, minus twenty and such.
Any more info is welcome. Thank you all.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Those bearings should last many more hours. I have well over 1000 hrs on mine without any problems

Does this include those small planetary needle bearings inside the case?

[egoperf]

Yes. As long as you are faithful about changing the fluids you'll be fine

[Mike]

Why are you having to tear down the transmission in the first place? Do you have a band that has failed?

[Rusty-Gunn]

I thought I read the brake bands need changing out every 400 hours, and our Max is now 400.
At the time I parked the Max for the winter the steering worked fine, but I have zero experience on brake band wear. I have never seen new bands yet, so I have no idea how much band wear is acceptable before a change out is necessary.
This would become my first time to crack open a T-20, once spring time comes around. This gives me a 4-5 months to buy new parts and learn a bit more (lots more, I suppose).

[dirtdobber]

Not that I have a whole lot of experience, but.....if it were mine, and if the transmission was steering and pulling just fine, not leaking oil, not making any funny noises, and did not have excessive slack in any of the shafts, I would just keep the oil changed and run it.

[Mike]

Let me second what dirtdobber said. If your T20 is operating fine, I would not tear it apart at all. The reason I originally suggested replacing the main bearings while you had it apart is that I assumed you had something wrong and that's why you were tearing it down. If it's operating fine, keep changing the fluid and run it like it is. The bands and bearings should have plenty of life left.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thank you guys. The machine steered fine, fluid changed every 60 hours (and each spring before the summer's first ride), no leaks.
I expect to purchase a gasket kit and bearing kit to have on hand though, but will run the Max next summer as-is, and over haul as necessary.
Thanks for the help guys, I do appreciate it. Learning this stuff is good and interesting. Gives confidence, less intimidation, if you know what I mean.