What tears that ear off? I've torn two off on my A998's.
On the 904/998/999/42/44 series units the failure usually comes from a band adjustment that gets out of whack and you start loading one of the vertical fingers instead Of the center lug of the band. Then all the load goes in to the finger which is designed to be a guide and not a load carrying member. If you look at this failed band you will notice the one vertical finger is bent and weld is broken and a piece of the band is missing.
