Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 22:31:09 -0700
Reply-To: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: FAG or SKF wheel bearings?
In-Reply-To: <86476e250808052047h218c41a2l5a7d6b98a42e3db0@mail.gmail.com>
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Like Loren, my late father and I bought and used quite a bit of EMPI stuff
in the 60s on a 62 Bug and 67 Deluxe 21 Wdw Bus, both bought brand new.
To bring Loren and others up-to-date, here is what happened after the EMPI
name was sold to FDI in 1970:
The name remained just that - a name held by someone, languishing in a dark
corner somewhere "out there".
Enter Emil and Dan Welden, owners of Mr Bug, Inc., who, after acquiring
Truehaft & Autohaus (Rosevear Enterprises) in the 80s, eventually were able
to secure acquisition of the EMPI name. Many of the items produced in the
70s & 80s under the Mr Bug, Autohaus and Truehaft monikers were all
essentially good quality and were initially brought under the EMPI umbrella
and a good many of these items are still being produced. Granted, they make
a lot of garbage, it's just knowing what is and what is not garbage (this is
why I like parts research the most out of the VW Parts profession & hobby).
EMPI does maintain manufacturing offices in both Taiwan and China and has as
far back as 1987 to the present day, but is essentially an American based
and owned company, period. Their latest reproduction product line has been
stock replacement 30PICT-1 and 34PICT-3 Carburetors, along with their own
high performance line and they really did their homework in redesign,
tooling and QC. So far, so good. At VWG/Airhead we've had very good
feeling of satisfaction of their PICT series repros with sales of these
increasing every month since we started carrying them.
In addition, another company started in the late 80s by the Weldens was Bay
State Enterprises specializing in essentially manufacturing replacement
Axles, CV Joints, Boot Kits and other Axle Drive Components, much of it in
the US in the beginning This was also folded into the EMPI umbrella. Some
component manufacturing is done in China, but a major portion of final
assembly and packaging is done in their HUGE warehouse in Orange County,
CA. Their Bay State operation alone in the building is an impressive site
to see when it is in full swing. Much of their Bay State products are sold
to the Big 3 Auto OEMs (in bulk of course,) as well as packaging of their CV
Axle Assemblies, CV Joint Kits, CV Boot Kits and other assorted related
hardware not only in "EMPI" labeled boxes, but custom labeled boxes for the
Automotive Aftermarket. Those items in other brand names like Dorman,
Help!, MOOG, Royze and many other brands are custom labeled right there in
EMPI's warehouse before shipment to their high volume customers. You'd be
surprised at how big a "footprint" EMPI has on this segment of the market.
But that doesn't mean they're the best in quality, even though I have yet to
have an EMPI Axle Assembly go bad on me in over 10 years of using them. The
purpose of this post is not to defend EMPI, but to inform others. There's
some good stuff and there's some bad stuff. But all it takes is one bad
report and it is assumed the "whole barrel" is garbage. Not true in most
cases. And then there are those who will never be convinced as well. Hey,
that's their gig :-)
When Scott at VWG/Airhead investigated about putting CV Joints and Boots in
the product line over 4 years ago, he discovered that the factory in China
we deal with also manufactures and supplies directly to VW, Lobro, etc.
You'd be surpised at how much of the "dealer" stuff is now coming out of
China in VW-Audi packaging for VOA through Germany. I've been running 4 of
their CV Joints and Boots on my 84 Westy now for over 4 years and 60K
without a "knock" or a "ripped" boot. And I've been running 4 of their
boots on my 84 GL for a year and a half with the same results.
http://www.airheadparts.com/viewDetail.asp?idProduct=5097<http://www.airheadparts.com/viewDetail.asp?strMasterCat=&idproduct=5097>
http://www.airheadparts.com/viewDetail.asp?idProduct=5132
Not all Chinese stuff is garbage. But you do have to be aware (and
beware). And take it from me, it's a lot work and heartache sometimes when
QC'ing.
--
Jim Thompson
84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
jim@airheadparts.com
***********************************
On 8/5/08, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> RE: EMPI and China?
> Davids comments seem to imply that EMPI is a Chinese company. A good read
> here:
> http://www2.cal-look.com/nostalgia/risefall.html
> I was using EMPI parts in the '60's and I can guarantee that they were not
> coming from China then. Today many international companies are having
> products produced in China but to their specs with tight quality control.
> But there are also products coming out of China without the QC that is
> demanded (and archived) by large customers.
> BTW, for all I know the EMPI name may have been taken over (apparently has
> changed hands several times in the last 40+ years) by a Chinese slave labor
> plant but could find nothing to that effect with Google.
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