First - Bob, when you say you've seen two guns with destroyed thrust bearings, were these specifically the ones used in the tune kit in question? The reason I'm asking is that needle thrust bearings can indeed be designed for impact loads with intermittent rotation, and Timken specifically states that some of their needle thrust bearings are suitable for shock-loaded applications. Perhaps the most common example is the needle strut bearing used in many front-drive vehicles with McPherson strut suspensions. In this application, they obviously get shock loaded.
If the failed bearings you've seen were not the same ones that are used in the kit, it's possible that those bearings were simply spec'd wrong and that the proper bearings would not have failed. If, on the other hand they were the ones from that kit, then we thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Next...
Bob - when I described a method for servicing a springer without a compressor, I was merely answering a simple question with a straight answer: Can it be done? Yes it can. I am not going to deliberately withhold or falsify information in the hopes that someone will or will not do things a certain way. I gave him the information he seemed to want, and what he does with it is up to him.
Certainly, you are well within your rights to recommend against the procedure. I will not argue the point here except to say that while I have not done several hundred rifles as you have, I've used this procedure probably between 50-100 times and never had anything like a close call. If I had, I certainly would have relayed that information as well. Regardless, you think the procedure is risky and you said so - which is a legitimate purpose of this forum.
Now, as to your statement that "...people that make statements like that have no respect or concern for their fellow airgunners safety or health. Its nuts.", that is a different matter. It is an uncalled for personal attack against myself... and it's the second one from you in a couple of weeks. How you can draw that conclusion from a simple and honest answer to a direct question I cannot understand, especially in light of the fact that we've been acquainted for a few years now.
While your experience with these guns certainly gives credence to your opinion of a mechanical procedure, it does not make you any more fit to judge another man's concerns, motivations, mental condition, or the state of his soul. As I mentioned, this is the second time you said something like this within the past month or two... and frankly, I'm not inclined to wait around for a third.
You are one of the founders of GTA, and in deference to that I'm going to notify Gene that I am to be removed as a moderator of this forum.
