Yeah I know....the metalic particles were the size of superfine sugar granuals so I think that they are just a sign of super long wear...those parts are almost 22 years old now. no serious shavings or anything. It occured to me that the particles could have been from the magnet itself. it was a compressed composite type of magnet...think the ones that look and feel a bit like brake pad material. next time i will use one of the rare earth high dollar ones from the electonics supply place....think the ones that look like hearing aid batteries and cost $20 a pop. For now the old girl steers like a champ...If she makes it to 400k miles which she will...Maybe by then I can move on in the automotive world and another brickhead can be baptized into the world of ultra high milage....we'll see