front end problems

seriously, the problem with ball bearings is the minimal amount of contact surface. The ball is hardened and so is the race so think about how much surface against surface area there is. The ball bearing is essentially a dull nail pushing against the race. Ball bearings and their races are typically lesser expensive (irregardless of what Honda charges for them).

Take the higher end machining centers for example. The lighter faster machines went to bearing trucks that used balls, some time in the '80s I think. This gave fast nimble movements over box ways but they sacrificed rigidity because of the lack of contact surface. In recent years, these same higher end machines have started using linear roller bearings which exponentially increased the contact area and rigidity (over balls) while maintaining the speed and accuracy of a ball bearing. Because of this increased surface area, I would put a "lesser" quality roller bearing against a ball bearing any day.

 

may be a fair assumption but I'd disagree. Looking for proof... Essentially the difference is; while yes, you do have more surface, the surface is ROLLING. And since you have more ROLLING surface with the weight better distributed along that surface than on a ball bearing, you could theorize that there is LESS friction.

This doesn't directly address your point but interesting all the same. From: HowStuffWorks "How Bearings Work"