Chinese Bearing in a Timken Box (1 Viewer)

[gnarlynick2072]

So I posted this on my build thread but I thought I’d make a separate discussion about this for awareness.

last year I bought Timken bearings for my front end rebuild from RockAuto. They all came in Timken labeled boxes. Turns out, one of the boxes had a Chinese bearing in it and I did not notice even when I installed it.This was the outer bearing (the smaller one). I only realized this when taking my front end apart a year later since I had vibration issues and this is what I found:

i do recall that the side with the Chinese bearing wouldn’t preload as well as I would have liked. Even when I really cranked on the 54mm socket with a wrench it still wouldn’t register anywhere near the force required on the fish scale. And I confirmed my spindles are fine so it wasn’t that.

here is the wear on the race after 30,000km.

I also had uneven wear on the preload washer which I thought was interesting. Only half of the circle had grooves dug into the surface, but the bottom half was hardly grazed.

long story short: check your bearings before you install them! Make sure they’re either Koyo or Timken.

 

[95Fantasma80]

Also another tip, buy from @cruiseroutfit or an OEM online dealer who provide good discounts.

Too many horror stories from ebay, amazon and rock auto.

 

[KillerBox]

I have been saying for years that a lot of things that comes from 3rd party sellers on Amazon is counterfeit. And most things "new" or "like new" things on eBay are counterfeit as well.

It is quite amazing what China will counterfeit. I have seen them counterfeit everything from Spark Plugs to Very large construction cranes.

 

[atnolan94]

IMO only reliable source for bearings is @cruiseroutfit he will hook you up

 

[Smiles]

OEM is the only way, I'm a big fan of genuine Toyota, they have done the R & D, not just copied someone else's hard work.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Unfortunately I can't say I'm surprised or the first I've heard of this. My favorite was a scenario in which a gentleman ordered Timken from RockAuto and got something else, similar to your case. The interesting part is he called us and demanded we answer "why you call these OEM when they are clearly made in China" referring to our kit advertising here on I8hmud over the years as if the non-Timken he got elsewhere came from us lol. Timken is an OE supplier to Toyota for wheel bearings, etc... however that doesn't mean that every part Timken makes is OE quality or that everything sold in a Timken box is going to be the same. Buy from a Cruiser shop, you'll know you're getting vetted/trusted parts.

Fwiw we use only USA made Timken or Japanese made Koyo bearings in our popular 100 Series wheel bearings kits. All with Japanese only NOK seals!

They are available by call/email to the Cruiser Outfitters shop, details here:

YWST: Front Wheel Bearing Overhaul Kits for the 100 Series (LX470)

Does your 100 Series (LX470) need some front end attention? Yeah, We Stock That! For over 20 years we've specialized in all things Land Cruiser including assembling some of the most comprehensive and high quality axle kit offerings. Our 100/470 front wheel bearings kits are no different...

forum.ih8mud.com

Or you can purchase them on our e-commerce site:

Cruiser Teq | Powered by Cruiser Outfitters

Cruiser Teq is powered by Cruiser Outfitters. Get high quality OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts direct to your door, fast!

cruiserteq.com

 

[nissanh]

I used a Chinese AC pulley bearing and it lasted just 6K miles! LC CV axles 14K miles (massive play inside the joints). They make junk and pollute the Earth in every way possible, including CCP Virus!.

 

[flintknapper]

Unfortunately I can't say I'm surprised or the first I've heard of this. My favorite was a scenario in which a gentleman ordered Timken from RockAuto and got something else, similar to your case. The interesting part is he called us and demanded we answer "why you call these OEM when they are clearly made in China" referring to our kit advertising here on I8hmud over the years as if the non-Timken he got elsewhere came from us lol. Timken is an OE supplier to Toyota for wheel bearings, etc... however that doesn't mean that every part Timken makes is OE quality or that everything sold in a Timken box is going to be the same. Buy from a Cruiser shop, you'll know you're getting vetted/trusted parts.

Fwiw we use only USA made Timken or Japanese made Koyo bearings in our popular 100 Series wheel bearings kits. All with Japanese only NOK seals!

They are available by call/email to the Cruiser Outfitters shop, details here:

YWST: Front Wheel Bearing Overhaul Kits for the 100 Series (LX470)

Does your 100 Series (LX470) need some front end attention? Yeah, We Stock That! For over 20 years we've specialized in all things Land Cruiser including assembling some of the most comprehensive and high quality axle kit offerings. Our 100/470 front wheel bearings kits are no different...

forum.ih8mud.com

Or you can purchase them on our e-commerce site:

Cruiser Teq | Powered by Cruiser Outfitters

Cruiser Teq is powered by Cruiser Outfitters. Get high quality OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts direct to your door, fast!

cruiserteq.com

View attachment 2280920

^^^^^

Excellent advice here folks. Just get the kit. It comes neatly packaged with everything you need. Reliable parts from a great company.

That's what I did.