Post pictures of the inside of the filter. Something a bit better than the pics from their website.
Donaldson, when they first came out with their synthetic media, had meia migration problems. The synthetic fibers were getting downstream and causing engine failures. (They paid a few engine claims and recalled their product)
As CM is claiming thier filters are "depth" type..they could have the same problem that Donaldson did.
Donaldson solved the problem by using a cotton batting layer both on the inside and outside of the synthetic fibers. ( Fleetguard calls their Stratapore..which is a 5 layer bonded media. The #1 and #5 layers are the cotton batting)
This prevents media migration.
When a paper element is used and you cut it open..if you see a rip or tear in the media, generally this indicates a pressure problem.
With synthetic media, you don't see the tear. It takes a microscope to see where the media has come apart.
Synthetic medias are short fibers and under pressure can become loose.
So if your bearings are seeing some of the synthetic fibers..it may not be the "seal" to the end caps that is the problem as much as the media is coming apart and getting through the holes in the center tube and going down stream.
But hey they only cost $100 or so with replacements $13-20 with o-rings..
If you want to talk to them, do an oil analysis of the area around your bearings. Send them a sample and a lab a sample and compare the results. If the media is migrating, i'd check their warranty policy.
