Timken Bearings........

[Joe C.]

what's better. Made in USA, or made in Brazil. OK, WHY??????????????
I have a rear bearing assembly, out of the car, upon which I broke a rear spindle due to excessive torque. The inner rear bearing removed from the trailing arm is Timken made in usa , looks perfect, no brinelling, about 100 miles on new rebuild.
The new bearing, from Paragon, is Timken, made in Brazil. Pros and cons as to reusing the "old" inner bearing and race (made in usa) with about 100 miles on it, and looks to be still perfect, or installing the new bearing and race (made in Brazil). Please, no comments such as "pull the old bearing and race, and replace with new made in usa assembly)

Joe

[John M.]

Re: Timken Bearings........

I don't have an answer, but Timken makes bearings for the aircraft industry and I'd be willing to bet there are lots of planes flying around with bearings made in Brazil. Their quality program (Timken's)has to be among the best and "Brazilian" doesn't mean poor quality. I would use the Brazilian or whatever came in a Timken package.

[Michael W.]

Re: Timken Bearings........

My experience has indicated that using 'country of origin' when determining the quality of a component is a poor indicator. As a former boss once said "All people that stereotype others are complete idiots"

Just as much high quality hardware is sourced from outside N. America as is produced within the boundaries. Conversely, just as much junk is produced here as anywhere, but that's another topic.

If I read your post correctly, you are considering mixing components from two differents bearings. It's entirely possible that while the two components are identical in outside dimensions and fit, and are interchangeable as a whole, there may be internal dimensional differences that make them incompatible.

I'd install the new bearing assembly as a whole and relax with a nice caipirinha

[Werner R.]

Re: Timken Bearings........

i can't speak to the usa/brazil controversy [although i remember when japanese cars were considered junk and only good old usa stuff was great] but considering what a pita it is to correctly replace the rear bearing assembly, i would not mix bearing and race from different components. why take a chance. besides, it is easy to replace the race.

[Jack H.]

Plus....

with many company's adopting ISO-9000 source/quality control program certification, country of origin considerations become almost a non-issue!

[Dave Suesz]

I made the mistake of mixing once...

Replaced a front rotor, had 1 yr old bearings, new rotor had races already installed, used "old" bearing & left new race in rotor. Bearing failed within one month, I guess there was microscopic difference, different manufacturers DON'T agree on precise internal dimensions. I don't care where the stuff was made if made right. BTW, if memory serves Tremec is in Mexico, I don't here much negative comment on their product.

[Joe C.]

Thanks...See Below *NM*

[Joe C.]

Thanks.....See Below *NM*

[Joe C.]

Thanks...See Below *NM*

[Joe C.]

Thanks.....See Below *NM*

[Joe C.]

Thanks......See Below *NM*

[Joe C.]

To All That Replied Above

I thank you all for your responses. Yes, I know that a lot of good stuff is made out of the country, and plenty of junk is made here. I just wanted to make sure, because I have heard much noise about certain items, from some folks that say "YOU MUST BUY AMERICAN made, because it has higher quality, stronger metal, closer tolerances, etc, etc". I was thinking that this bearing might just be one of those "forbidden" items. Anyway, I like all your answers regarding the Brazilian product, I was hoping that you would say that, because that is my preferred course of action.....to install the new Brazilian Timken unit. Also, you all seem to agree, so that's also a big plus.

BTW: In case there was any misunderstanding, I would NEVER mix an old race with a new bearing. Because I didn't specifically say "race", it goes without saying that the bearing-and-race are always replaced as a set.

Joe

[Joe L.]

Re: To All That Replied Above

Joe-----

The important thing here is that the bearings are Timken-branded. I'm very confident that Timken-branded bearings, wherever they're made, will be the same high quality. In fact, I think that all of the current Timken wheel bearings for C2 and C3 Corvettes are made in Brazil. If you find any Timken wheel bearings for these cars that are US made, they'll likely be old stock that's been on the shelf somewhere for awhile.

The foreign bearings to look out for are the ones in the boxes of "unknown brands". These folks don't have to worry about brand reputation because their brands don't have any reputation. They establish "new identities" often in order to prevent getting a brand reputation.

As far as foreign bearings go, the ones to LOOK FOR are Japan-manufactured bearings, if you can find them. In my opinion, these are the best in the world. Some of the GM/Delco bearings are made in Japan. Don't EVER turn these down; seek them out!

[Joe C.]

Re: To All That Replied Above

Thanks Joe, you always have good advice. I recieved these bearings Tuesday. The bearings themselves are Timken branded, although they came as part of a bearing and seal kit, from Paragon, and were not boxed. Oddly, although both are Timken branded, one is made in Brazil, and the other is made in USA.
The "old" bearings are also Timkens, and both are US made. Got those about 2 years ago when I rebuilt the trailing arms. Shame to replace them, with less than 100 miles on the resto. Well, why take any chances here, it's a PITA to tear down, and I don't want to have to do it again anytime soon.

Joe

[Roberto L.]

Re: To All That Replied Above

Last year got in my country japan made rear bearings, NTN Corp brand and they are first rate, but not the best priced (no issue with critical parts like these ones). Brazilian Timken are very good too. In the old days the Brazilian quality in the auto industry was of so so quality. Cars made in Argentina had a better finish quality, but that's old history. At present Brazilian made components are first rate with international standards.

Just an opinion, Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMC