I think some confusion has arisen because the NSK website somewhere says something about the tolerances being so tight that you should not lube them.
I’ve also heard that you don’t lube ceramics, but since I don’t have any, I don’t know.
As to the 40 bearings going out, I think he said in another thread that it was due to them sitting on a shelf and rusting, which makes sense.
I had an old journey do that after sitting for a long time.
Also, maybe he lives near the ocean?