056 Mag

[deereguy]

I'm replacing the clutch side bearing 056 mag. The plastic retaining ring on the old bearing had disintegrated. The replacement bearing provided by Stihl also has a plastic retaining ring.

Am I wasting my time and $57.00 replacing with a bearing with a plastic ring?? Did Stihl recognize this was a problem and had a fix?? Suggestions please. rick

 

[Lawn Masters]

I wouldnt know whether its a problem or an idea they had that was intended to make more $$$ when the bearing and seals went bad, I lean more to the side of it being a problem that was rather uncommon therefore they never really worried about making a good repair part for it.

 

[stihltech]

plastic

Plastic has it's place. In a bearing cage, it saves the top end rather than scoring the pistom and cylinder when it fails like a metal cage can. Excess heat , pressure and dirt all will cause a bearing to fail.

 

[deereguy]

056

Thanks Stihltech for explaining the issue.

OK what I learned was: Stihl and other mfgs have gone to using a plastic bearing retainer ring in the bearing instead of metal. Why? When the plastic fails I should expect little or no damage to the piston or cylinder. Also, the plastic ring shouldn't fail unless the bearing has sustained some damage.

Well, I'm not totally convinced since the bearing I'm replacing appeared to be perfect with the exception of the missing plastic. Oh well, I'll go ahead and install tomorrow. ,rick