China bearings

[triumphrick]

Pulled the hubs today to do a little checking on things. Found the grease seals in pretty bad condition, altho the bearings and races looked great. No scoring or pitting. Kinda want to change them anyway since everything is apart and on jack stands.
Local parts store only carried China bearings, the same that were in there.
Are they that common? Would you try to get Timkens?
Thanks as always for the help. Rick

 

[derekpfeiffer]

Re: China bearings

I work at a power plant and even with the number of bearing we have around it and the money we could save by using chinese bearing we still don't. And some of the bearings we use are over 50k so it'd save a substantial amount going with a chinese bearing...but we don't take the chance. Everytime I've rebuilt hubs on a trailer (especially a boat trailer) I've always used name brand bearings...usually timken. I just really don't want to have a failure on the way to or from the lake and be kicking myself for trying to save a few dollars. Its just not worth it to me.

just my own opinion...and i'm sure this is like any other reply I leave...someone else will act like I don't know what i'm talking about and say they're right. But like I said I rebuild gearboxes and pumps EVERY DAY and we NEVER use knock off bearings. Even though we could save thousands.

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: China bearings

Timken or another name brand. Use the existing as spares.

http://www.abma-dc.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

 

[dingbat]

Re: China bearings

You?ll be hard pressed to find any bearing manufacturer that doesn't make a large percentage of it's products overseas. Even Timken is making a large percentage of it's product line overseas.

Bottom line, stick with the name brands and you'll be OK.

 

[Major Woods]

Re: China bearings

You?ll be hard pressed to find any bearing manufacturer that doesn't make a large percentage of it's products overseas. Even Timken is making a large percentage of it's product line overseas.

Bottom line, stick with the name brands and you'll be OK.

I work as a quality engineer for a large bearing manufacturer. I'm not listing my employer as I don't want anyone to think I'm pushing brand "X" over "Y".

I will assure you Timken along with all the rest of the "Major Brands" have factories in China that make either whole bearing assemblies or components of such and assemble them in the US making them "MADE IN USA".

Whether or not the trailer bearing you install in your hub is US or China made makes little if any difference. Trailer bearings fail from water intrusion, lack of grease or maintenance. Years of failure analysis studies at work shows that the number one cause of a trailer bearing failure is a leaking grease seal.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: China bearings

......I will assure you Timken along with all the rest of the "Major Brands" have factories in China that make either whole bearing assemblies or components of such and assemble them in the US making them "MADE IN USA"......

I have no doubt. In 1991 I "assembled" products "Made in USA" which were made overseas. Now that EVERYTHING is made in China...

Besides, a new "junk" bearing is better than an old wrecked bearing. Hey, that sounds like a new signature line

 

[ebry710]

Re: China bearings

Once you loose the brand name on an item, you loose the brand name specifications. If you have worked in a factory before, you realize the heart of the factory is the workers and the QA program. In America we mostly pride ourselves in our craftsmanship. If there is a recall or inferior component, we have a reputation to maintain. Some factory in another country may or may not have that culture and the accountability that we Americans have. Even Honda and Toyota realize that when they build factories in America.

When you buy a product from another country that doesn't have a reputation for quality, do so because it is cheaper.....but don't expect it (although it might be) to be as good.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: China bearings

I searched the last time I redid a trailer axle with new hubs, I couldn't find a single supplier here with US made bearings, and the only one that would guarantee me US made Timken bearings was 7 time more money, it would have been cheaper to buy a new trailer than to replace the wheels, tires, hubs, bearings, and springs.
The biggest thing is to properly adjust the bearings and keep the water out and the grease in. Do that and you won't have any issues.
I have noticed that a lot of the China made bearings have narrower rollers than many original bearings. The races and cones fit but the actual bearing surfaces are reduced. That has to reduce it's resistance to impact.

I've also seen a lot of bearings from Poland, Russia, and India lately, mostly from the big auto parts chains.
What bothers me the most is that they aren't cheaper, their just the only thing they carry. Its not usually a matter of having a choice, unless you want to take out a mortgage for new bearings and wait a week or more to get them by mail.

 

[ebry710]

Re: China bearings

It is like this, if you look on the ipod brand you will see it is made in China. Is it junk, no.

If I go to Harbor Freight a lot of items are made in China and a lot of items are "one trip Charlies". China is a big country, bigger that us.

If the retailer put its name on the package, then hold them to the fire. Even Harbor Freight gives you an option of a lifetime warrantee.....and they honor it.