the culprit?

what about those little roller bearings? i stuck my finger in there and rolled them around. then i thought for a sec i'd gotten my finger stuck in there, but it was okay. but the bearings were stiff and i wonder how they're supposed to be...but i think the little gasket that meets up there by those bearings is where the culprit lies. the mainseal there looks fine to me.    i think that little gasket there with the bearings is made of felt. that's kindof cool.