I've got a few good Chinese made things - but Chinese made wheel
bearings ain't amongst them!!!

John

Courtney Hook wrote:
> John, I'm with you. I try to make sure wheel bearings are made in an "old
> school" country like Canada, US, Germany, Italy, England, Japan etc.
> Although I don't have your experience in aircraft engines, I DO have
> plenty
> of experience in motorcycle and aircooled engines, since the late 60's. I
> steer clear of Chinese bearings as much as I can, as I've heard this
> all too
> often. Interesting comment from a mechanic friend of mine from Mazda
> Canada;
> "All our bearings are Japanese made, so we don't have warranty issues" I
> don't know if that's true, but he is a master mechanic, and no fool.
> On the
> other hand, I've got some EXCELLENT tools that are of Chinese/Taiwan
> manufacture; their name is Craftsman !!!
> Courtney
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 8:52 AM
> Subject: Wheel Bearing Problem Resolved
>
>
>> Final Report
>>
>> After having new rotors and new bearings installed - and ending up with
>> a loud whine right out of the chocks - the left front rotor was pulled
>> and that new bearing was turned by hand. As it was turned it felt like
>> sand was in the bearing. The bearing was cleaned and inspected closely.
>> The rollers were pitted. . Not sure what caused this as I'm absolutely
>> certain that bearing was immaculate when it was greased thoroughly with
>> clean grease - and adequately greased as well. . I have greased hundreds
>> of bearing of this type and know what I am doing. And - the bearings
>> were definitely not over tightened  The only thing I could attribute
>> this immediate failure to was some fault in the manufacturing process. I
>> have never in all my career as aircraft mechanic - and part time Vanagon
>> mechanic - encountered a wheel bearing failure almost right out of the
>> box. This was the first time I have ever used a Chinese manufactured
>> bearing, and can only attribute this failure to the manufacturing
>> process. Though new, I replaced the bearings on both sides of the
>> vehicle with new one's made in England. I hope they do not fail. Thus
>> far they have worked fine with no further problem.
>>
>> As for the Chinese parts - could have been a fluke, the failure out of
>> the box. I had that happen  with a $5000 aviation navigation unit once.
>> But - I have jeweler/watchmaker friend who has told me that the Chinese
>> made things  he sees in his trade reflect weaknesses in manufacturing
>> processes - from measurements to alloying, hardening and surface
>> treatments.
>>
>> Take it for what it's worth.
>>
>> John Rodgers
>> 88 GL Driver
>
>