Bearings
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 727
Likes: 113
From: Austin TX area
Bearings
Just got done replacing the front wheel bearing; purchased National bearings (Federal Mogul). I paid more for these bearings at Reilly’s as I did not want to get cheap import stuff. I figured these were from the good old USA. One of the bearings had CHINA on it. The cage was black instead of the steel cage on the others. Went back to O's and exchanged the bearing for the same as the other one. The guy at O’s said yea some of them will be from China; could not believe this. So which manufacture still manufactures bearing in the US?
Thanks Bill
Semper Fi
And thank you to all our vets and especially those who gave all
Thanks Bill
Semper Fi
And thank you to all our vets and especially those who gave all
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
If your choice to not use Chinese parts is political, you'll just have to shop around and ask lots of questions.
If you believe you are getting an inferior part because it came from China, you may be wasting your time running around to exchange your National brgs. Chinese industry is just as capable of making quality parts as anywhere else. Those brgs are made to Federal Mogul's standard and are just as good as any one of their brgs of the same line made anywhere else. The color or construction of the cage means nothing. All the cage has to do is hold the rollers together until the wheel is assembled. It has nothing to do with operation once the brgs installed.
We are familiar with all the Chinese junk because that's what sells here, not because that's all they know how to make. I ordered an OE heater hose/pipe assembly for an 04 GMC Duramax right from the dealership and right on the GM Genuine part tag it said "Made in China".
Better get used to it. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Steve
If you believe you are getting an inferior part because it came from China, you may be wasting your time running around to exchange your National brgs. Chinese industry is just as capable of making quality parts as anywhere else. Those brgs are made to Federal Mogul's standard and are just as good as any one of their brgs of the same line made anywhere else. The color or construction of the cage means nothing. All the cage has to do is hold the rollers together until the wheel is assembled. It has nothing to do with operation once the brgs installed.
We are familiar with all the Chinese junk because that's what sells here, not because that's all they know how to make. I ordered an OE heater hose/pipe assembly for an 04 GMC Duramax right from the dealership and right on the GM Genuine part tag it said "Made in China".
Better get used to it. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Steve
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Timken is also sourcing from Poland for the front C-3 bearings. Seals were made in Taiwan. I got mine from Autozone a couple of years ago and they were made in Poland.
I assumed since the were Timkins they would be made here in the USA. You can't assume anything anymore.
Of course I'm sure they are made to Timkin's stringent quality standards and closely monitored to ensure compliance with specifications. Either that, or they were able to put an extra a buck or two in the corporate pocket by importing them. Whichever explanation you choose to believe (or both)....
I assumed since the were Timkins they would be made here in the USA. You can't assume anything anymore.
Of course I'm sure they are made to Timkin's stringent quality standards and closely monitored to ensure compliance with specifications. Either that, or they were able to put an extra a buck or two in the corporate pocket by importing them. Whichever explanation you choose to believe (or both)....
Last edited by stock76; May 28, 2011 at 09:28 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
You are not going to find much made in the US anymore. I just put a new GM clutch master in my C5 and it says made in mexico on it. Doesnt mean much when the body panels say made in canada and the brake calipers say made in australia though. I just did the front bearings in my C3. I bought them at Ecklers, both said made in USA on them so I guess I got lucky. You really cant blame a business for outsourcing now. Overhead is so much to make things in the US that the consumer price would be outrageous.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,000
Likes: 586
Federal-Mogul / National brand and Timken are nearly the same price.
I actually found hub assemblies for 60 bucks !!
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200..._assembly.html
It is a VERY tempting purchase however I don't need wheels flying off as I zoom down the road.
I actually found hub assemblies for 60 bucks !!
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200..._assembly.html
It is a VERY tempting purchase however I don't need wheels flying off as I zoom down the road.
