Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:31:16 -0400
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Wheel Bearing Problem Resolved
In-Reply-To: <4A71C1A2.6040104@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
That's why you buy your parts from a VW specialist who also installs
these things. I mean there are some chinese parts out there that are
decent. There are others that are absolute rubbish. I install most of
the stuff I sell myself so I have first hand knowledge of whether
something is good or not from experience with the part on my own van or
a customer's van. And our prices are competitive so you aren't paying a
high premium for our 11 years of experience. I know there are times
when you are in a bind and need to buy something off of the shelf to get
home. However when you can, buy from your VW Vendor of choice (I like
to think we are one of the premiere ones) because they will save you
time and money almost every time over a local parts place that doesn't
know a Vanagon from Mazda MPV.
Parts is not always parts :-)
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
John Rodgers wrote:
> Final Report
>
> After having new rotors and new bearings installed - and ending up with
> a loud whine right out of the chocks - the left front rotor was pulled
> and that new bearing was turned by hand. As it was turned it felt like
> sand was in the bearing. The bearing was cleaned and inspected closely.
> The rollers were pitted. . Not sure what caused this as I'm absolutely
> certain that bearing was immaculate when it was greased thoroughly with
> clean grease - and adequately greased as well. . I have greased hundreds
> of bearing of this type and know what I am doing. And - the bearings
> were definitely not over tightened The only thing I could attribute
> this immediate failure to was some fault in the manufacturing process. I
> have never in all my career as aircraft mechanic - and part time Vanagon
> mechanic - encountered a wheel bearing failure almost right out of the
> box. This was the first time I have ever used a Chinese manufactured
> bearing, and can only attribute this failure to the manufacturing
> process. Though new, I replaced the bearings on both sides of the
> vehicle with new one's made in England. I hope they do not fail. Thus
> far they have worked fine with no further problem.
>
> As for the Chinese parts - could have been a fluke, the failure out of
> the box. I had that happen with a $5000 aviation navigation unit once.
> But - I have jeweler/watchmaker friend who has told me that the Chinese
> made things he sees in his trade reflect weaknesses in manufacturing
> processes - from measurements to alloying, hardening and surface
> treatments.
>
> Take it for what it's worth.
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
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