Banjo Pinion Nose Support Bearing?

I'm rebuilding a Ford banjo. The ring and pinion are nice but the bearing surface on the pinion nose is pitted and sort of funky-looking. With the big double bearing on the pinion, how important is the little pinion nose support bearing? Even if its less than sweet, can I still use the R&P?

Regards, Don

 

First, if you have a lot of original level surface between the pits it should be essentially stable there...just knock in a fresh bearing.
If the thing is out of round, undersize, totally fubar...how hard would it be to have a machinist to chuck it up by the good end and cut that area down to press on a standard steel bushing with right OD?
Good original R&P will be easier to set up than modern repro, and is worth saving.

 

Thanks Bruce ... why didn't I think of that? Don