Pinion bearing and chipped gear

[PaulS]

I'm trying to decide which bearings to replace and which to keep (to save a few bucks).

Here's the inner pinion bearing (from the D41 rear axle):


That little dent is leaving a mark on the roller.  I can't feel it with my finger, and the bearing moves very smoothly.  If I was just basing it on feel, I'd keep the bearing.  But I'm, inclined to replace it.  Your thoughts?

And problem #2, there's a chip in the pinion (still on the rear D41):


This worries me.  But the chip is right at the end.  The contact patch appears to be in the middle of the gear--and doesn't extend to the end.  So is the chip critical, or can I reuse this part?  (I'd really rather not shell out 300 bucks for a new one!)

Thanks,

-Paul

[Carls_jeep]

I'd clean off the burr and use the bearing. The chip looks like metal may have been in and chipped it in the past.

[stony]

I would not worry about either.� Looks like the chipped area was ground down after it happened.

[bretto]

Agreed, run me both.  In 30 years someone will be asking the same thing.

[PaulS]

Okay, I'll keep them both.� But I will grind down the edges of the chip.� (Terry--it doesn't look to me that it's been ground already.  But I have the benefit of a close look at it, and not just the one picture.)

Thanks,

-Paul