I do not like the needle bearings. I have a repair shop & we replace the needle bearing types with the bronze bushing types. Always soak the bronze bushings for as long as you can- we keep a Ford bushing & a GM bushing soaking in oil for weeks or months until we use them. I have never h ad a problem with them. I can't say that about the needle bearing types.the needle bearing type has a very small and hard bearing which tends to lose lubricant/grease and then begins to gouge & wear the input bearing surface on the trans input shaft. A bronze bearing will NEVER do that. It may wear out. but never damage the trans shaft.
