Only 3000 miles on front wheel bearings.

[MaddogsT25]

I once remember someone saying buy quality parts and you will only replace them once. I bought cheap wheel bearings off EBay and guess what.....3000 miles later the front wheel sounds like it is going to fall off. I've just stripped both front wheel bearings to find the outer race has broke up and full of metal swarf. Lesson learned!

[California Dreamin]

Oh dear! and they were packed with grease and correctly adjusted (movement in the outer washer & bearing not loaded?)
Just asking, I'm sure you did them right.

Martin

[CovKid]

Aye, as bad as the chocolate CV joints on ebay too. Pennies saved, flippin pounds spent soon after. I'm not saying everyone should buy from one supplier but certainly it pays to ask what make of bearing before parting with money.

[Ian Hulley]

In the industry we've been warned over the past 3 years about Chinese bearings which are actually cast, plated and polished. They have a thin outer shell and will last for a short while but inside are made of recycled cheese. Fortunately we have the approach that I am allowed to buy the best we can get (at the most competitive price obviously) so we have never come across these ourselves.

Ian

[Ralf85]

Are the ones you bought the Febi ones that are selling for £12.99 on Amazon or were they another make?

[kevtherev]

I once remember someone saying buy quality parts and you will only replace them once. I bought cheap wheel bearings off EBay and guess what.....3000 miles later the front wheel sounds like it is going to fall off. I've just stripped both front wheel bearings to find the outer race has broke up and full of metal swarf. Lesson learned!

there is some guidance on this in mechanical... it's a sticky thread called "quality parts suppiers"

jus' sayin'

[MaddogsT25]

They were fitted and adjusted correctly and I packed them with grease. As you say they do look like they were cast and the plating has come off. Just got to rebuild tonight for a long weekend on Wales. Flea bay crap parts have a lot to answer for and I have learnt my lesson

[Dazco]

Firm I used to work for thought they were being right clever buying dirt cheap bearings for the machine steadies, it wasn't until they realised how many jobs had been scrapped that they realised the error of their ways. They didn't listen to us mere machine operators . Ha ha ha

[Ian Hulley]

Flea bay crap parts have a lot to answer for and I have learnt my lesson

Cheap lesson then ... no-one was hurt and at minimal expense

[DuaneEddy]

Ian
Are the chinese ones being sold as SKF parts?
Are the original specification bearings available from recognised bearing suppliers?

[CovKid]

On the latter point, you shouldn't go far wrong actually. We have a dedicated bearing specialist in Cov who will match anything and in many grades depending on purpose. I'd rather go to someone who actually KNOWS about bearings than a mere box-shifter. These days box-shifters are the norm and fake as well as poor grade parts are already in the parts chain so no matter what is written on the box, that in itself is not 100% guarantee of quality - only a known and trackable supply chain can improve your chances of getting a good quality bearing.

[Ian Hulley]

Ian
Are the chinese ones being sold as SKF parts?

Not to my knowledge BUT many bearings are produced and reboxed. I may be wrong but I don't recall a specific brand being mentioned ?

[Ning]

Can we assume Just Kamper ones are decent quality?

[CovKid]

Well they'll last more than 3000 miles thats for sure. Its ebay where you're likely to hit this issue. This is particularly true of CV joints. Lot of chocolate stuff out there that might seem like a good deal....

The 'B and B' CV joints on ebay were VERY poor. I got four months out of those so be warned. Anything that CAN be copied, WILL be. I think thats the thing to remember. Never seen top quality stuff priced low other than genuine special offers.

[Ralf85]

Can we assume Just Kamper ones are decent quality?

The Febi ones are £12.99 on Amazon and £22.00 at JK. I suspect if the 'real' price before JK mark up is only £12.99 they are probably not best quality.