We have started to hear more reports of the rear support needle bearing working free from its rubber grommet, so we have decided that it's appropriate for us to redesign this particular part, and send out replacements to all existing customers.
What we are going to do is machine a pair of needle bearing endcaps that will go over each end of the bearing, and clamp it in place.
This is a screenshot from our CAD model that shows what I mean:
These endcaps will work with the existing needle bearing and the existing carbon fiber support plate, except that six holes need to be drilled through the plate for the bolts. However, the endcaps can be used as a jig to do this.
The needle bearing and the rubber grommet need to be removed first, and the grommet can then be discarded.
There is a pilot boss in the rear face of the endcaps that fits into the existing hole in the support plate that can be used to align the endcaps with the support plate. This will allow the three top holes in an endcap to be used as a guide to drill the first three holes.
The endcaps can then be assembled with three bolts, and the three holes on the reverse side of the endcap can then be used as a guide for the remaining three holes.
The needle bearing is a light press fit into the center hole in the endcaps. It should be possible possible to push the parts together by pressing with a hand. The bolt holes in the caps can be aligned with some sort of pin before the parts are pressed together.
The endcaps are going to made from black Celcon/Acetal plastic, so the assembly should still be pretty light, and the encaps should also match up well with the black carbon fiber support plate.
We are planning on having these ready to ship free of charge this coming Monday. We have a list of all customer we have shipped Drives to, and we will use this list, but if you want to be sure that you are on our list, please send me a PM through RCU with your shipping address.
Both Mike and I apologize for this needle bearing grommet problem, and we are both very much dedicated to making sure that the V4 Contra Drive works for everyone.
Everything will go out USPS Priority Mail.
Brenner ...