Its worth noting that the original bearings are a ball bearing encased in plastic - probably provide some protection - as well as something to screw into to retain it in the column. Had the factory used an all steel bearing they'd have been replacing those like crazy under warranty! I think the factory ones would have survived even better had they not put the holes in the outer column - which allowed dirt and moisture to seep down to the bearing with no way to get out. I'm surprised columns didn't rot away to nothing!