Intermediate Plate Bearings, Pinion and Main Shaft Options

[kconway]

I've got a friend who has been inside the tranny alot and is going to help me pull it apart and reseal it. Presently it leaks but can't quite tell from where, looks like at the intermediate plate. He's recommending replacing the two bearings in the intermediate plate, since likely never been done. Why? Because they are most likely pitted and will require replacement, his words. He used to race locally and tells me he would change out his gears almost weekly depending on which track he was racing that week (so I think he knows what he's talking about). I know he is conservative (engineer in aerospace industry), but I'm curious how often these bearing actually fail?

Also, I see they're not cheap; best price I could fine was $168 ea. Sound like the right price?

Kev