my trailer jack started making odd noises and was getting harder to turn.

i pulled it apart and found numerous BB sized ball bearings in it and what appears to be a failed race. i know that i have likely exceeded the 3000# static and 2000# lift limits since frequently i am jacking up the front of the trailer (& back of the truck) to get a better angle when off loading the car.

any one else fail these? any better, more heavy duty bearings out there like taper roller bearings?

i think i had something relatively simple like this based on the autopsy of the stuff i found (not right size just for example purposes).

http://cgi.ebay.com/51103-Thrust-Bea...d=p3286.c0.m14