Metal or Plastic center diff spur gear?

With the hardened pinions there is no reason at all too run the plastic gear. The bearing fits sloppy on the plastic gear. The o ring area on the inside deforms and the gear would always loosen up enough to sling out the diff fluid. Small pieces of dirt and rock would embed them self into the plastic and make intermittent noises. Since I went to the steel gear I have had zero problems.