Will aluminum work as a bearing for change gears?

[savarin]

The 40 tooth aluminium gear on my lathe reverse is still working well after quite a few years which I didnt expect it to.
I left it as bare aluminium with the intention of adding a bronze bush later but it hasnt needed it.

 

[Winegrower]

I made some change gears out of Delrin. They work perfectly. Maybe consider that. There's not a lot that's easier to make than bushings.