Bearing race repair MD 180 Mirage drive?

I have a MD180 drive in my 2019 Outback that is making a lot of noise again. This drive has required more work and upkeep than any other drive I've owned! I have had 2 V2 drives, a GT drive (the best!) and this POS. It has been in the shop 3 times for noise and had the spine replace 6 months ago. Luckily the previous work came under Hobie warranty and I was not out of pocket money, just time. Well, warranty was up in Nov of 21. I don't abuse them, I remove when landing, I freshwater wash after every use. The bearings actually looked pretty good, but the end race, one that is nearest the kayaker, is getting worn and I was considering trying a epoxy putty to build it back up a bit as someone suggested. Anybody ever try this? Any better ideas rather than a new spine assembly? How long does Hobie warranty new parts?

If you had a drawing for it I could 3D print you one.

I can't see epoxy holding up. I'd say go with 3-d printing option, if possible.

I'm a big fan of the GT drive, and posts like this have convinced me to never "upgrade" to the 180...

I had the same issue on my MD 180 and now only use the GT. And yea, epoxy wont hold up.

You can try getting one of those really thin flexible cutting board made out of nylon, and cutting a to-sized strip that wraps around the bearing.

Yeah, I was thinking of some kind of shim material like really thin stock stainless. I used to cut up shims from soda cans before.

It’s too bad they don’t make that part in delrin… probably better then that crap plastic they use for parts. Only way I see that being fixed… if buying a good part have it sand casted in alluminum.  But that’s an expensive route and time consuming…  if you can machine that part down create a slip on bushing made out of delrin with the correct profile that would be stellar.

https://www.mcmaster.com/acetal/material~delrin-acetal-plastic/wear-resistant-easy-to-machine-delrin-acetal-resin-tubes/

I had the same issue on my MD 180 and now only use the GT. And yea, epoxy wont hold up.

You can try getting one of those really thin flexible cutting board made out of nylon, and cutting a to-sized strip that wraps around the bearing.

You might be able to find a thin nylon bushing or sleeve that would fit. If so that would be ideal as it would never squeak.

Check out a automotive seal saver for a harmonic balancer or rear main seal. There may be a size available that might work.
Kevin

if you're going to go through the effort of drawing a part to 3d print it, which won't really be a strong part due to layer adhesion and the general lack of compression strength of the plastics unless you can do high temp polycarb at like 300c, you might as well machine it out of Delrin as said above. you could also cast it in resin and milled glass which is insanely strong. or use a resin printer (i have an epax 3d dental printer which i would recommend to anyone interested in these printers) which makes strong and very high-resolution parts with true chemical bonds holding them together. if someone has one of these laying around i can put it into cad and have access to a 4 axis cnc.  haven't run 4 axis cam in a while but could give it a whirl

My current thought is to get a new spine, fix it up like new, and sell it for a GT model!