I sent HOS an e-mail requesting prices,instructions etc, of course I could not reach them by phone, of course they haven't bothered to return my e-mail, as much as I like the products the customer service continues to need much improvement. I finally decided I would try Excellent Supply with an e-mail, Ricks has good customer service.

I have found BB size ball bearings and i assume they are from the HOS. I did check the drive pad for unusual play side to side , none found, no wierd noises either so I am stumped and decided I would purchase the bearings to have on hand. Anyone know if there are any other ball bearings on the machine someplace?

Well here is the update, if your bearings go on the yellow Hos units it will cost you just under $300.00 for a simple bearing.  Why? The original bearings were custom made and they no longer stock them. The only fix is to purchase the complete driver for the Orbot + bearings. Now my Yellow unit has less than 500 hours on it well maintained. I asked what the expectable life of the bearings might be and was told simply the unit is out of warranty. As much as I like the yellow unit and my Orbot it is a true shame that the product support and customer support are so poor.

If memory serves me right manufacturers must have parts available for 10 years after production perhaps thats only in the automotive industry, does anyone know for sure

They have no parts for the yellow HOS's? What the heck! Very dissapointing.

I haven't tore it down yet been pretty busy business wise and don't want to lose my backup machine, and still no noise or abnormal side play I'll keep an eye on it. I wanted to have parts on hand so when I had it down I could reassemble without any machine down time. Just can't beleive the concept of making machines and not making wearable parts available for replacement, just not right. Creates a concern of what will be available for the Orbots we all bought in a couple years down the road. I hope John G. doesn't run the same course with his machines.

Think about it from a engineering view, bearings are a wearable part, they will require replacement why on earth would you develop a machine with bearings that cannot be purchased through normal bearing supply sources. Just freakin baffles me.