Bearing Block Question

[ttldomination]

Hello Everyone,

So, this year, my team ran a standard 6WD with #25 chain and things were never really smooth. We seemed to pop a chain about every other match, and we believe we've isolated the problem to our bearing block setup.

We use 8020, so we're somewhat limited to using standard pillow blocks mounted directly onto the metal. We attempted to drill holes directly into the 8020, but without proper tools, drilling offset holes is nearly impossible.

The pillow blocks we used were somewhat low quality sleeved blocks. And the sleeves could rotate, which allowed for the axles to sit at strange, unwanted angles.

So here's where the questions start flying.

One side of the argument is saying that the low quality, sleeved blocks were our problem. Perhaps something like this block would help with stability and keeping the axles lined up.

The other side of the argument is that the blocks were never really that much of an issue. Because of the force that a 6wd experiences while turning, the bearing blocks themselves would physically slide on the 8020. An issue that will occur regardless of the block we used, and we need to seek solutions to meet that end, even if it means going back to 4wd.

So, we're really stumped, and while both sides have their merit, we've never really been in this kind of territory before. This past year was the first year that we've run a 6wd system, so we're not entirely sure how to move forward.

Thanks for the input,
Sunny G.