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Date:         Wed, 6 Aug 2008 09:00:06 -0700
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: FAG or SKF wheel bearings?
In-Reply-To:  <4387de760808051911i22656ef0x74af1e260e4e4aaa@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Well, I checked the list archive and realized that I did not receive all the replies of this thread. That was last night. There is one more added to the archive today and I still do not see them in my mailbox.

Regarding EMPI, the pair of axles for Passat I purchased from a parts place are from China. I actually had a conversation with the store's owner about it. I actually called first inquiring the axles. I was told that they have them and they are made in China, cheap at $65 each. When I went to pick them up I realized that they are EMPI brand.

I then talked to the store's owner. I expressed concern about quality. He said nothing about EMPI. But he gave me a lecture about VW in China. His store is very large... 80,000 square ft warehouse. They use a electric cart (like a golf cart but much smaller) to go back and forth between the parts bin and the front counter. He gave me one year warranty on the axles. The axles look very decent, just like OEM in the look. I have no doubt that they will work, probably for a while. I mean a few years.

EMPI is a business that sources from factories all over the world of auto parts I think. It is an American company. I have no precious experience with this brand of auto parts. Thanks to Loren and Jim for their comments about EMPI. I think I made a right decision to keep the EMPI axles on the Passat. I sure can not afford $500 per axle OEM price or $350 GKN price either. I will keep my used OEM axles as spares. I have learned to swap axles in a couple of hours for my Passat.

Meanwhile, I will be dealing with the wheel bearings. I have to find a machine shop to do the actual swap of the bearing for me. This can only be done with a properly equipped press.

David


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