I don't own eggbeaters (yet), but heard about re-building them at the lbs when shopping around.

One shop guy hated them. He said, "well, yea... they are 'ok' I guess if you want to be rebuiling your pedals every year... I think the spindle is inferior, blab, blab, blab...".

*momentary digression... ONE reason of many I get my bottom line info from my TE pals and not my lbs... lbs guys that don't either 'sell it' or 'ride it' think the 'it' is fecal matter if not one of the two... most annoying when trying to make an informed decision... ahh, feel better now*

OK, next shop guy loves them. Rides them. The higher $ Ti is suppose to be stronger spindle somethin somethin, but middle $ eggbeater should be ok for 125# humble non-racing trail gal like me. BUT, he said... yes, you need to do the re-built kit, maintenance, etc.

I would assume like anything, there's a lifespan under predictable conditions.