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Just received an order from RockAuto for rear brakes and bearing assemblies. All was good except the bearing assemblies were different. They are both the correct part #, but the design is different.
One design is the typical Timken bearing that I've seen before. It's one solid casting, OE flange thickness, and smooth bearings with obvious seals. I can't find the country of origin, but whatever it is it appears to be of good quality.
The other design is made in China (stated on box), the flange is thinner, the housing appears to be two separate halves welded together, and the outer bearing half seems gritty and missing the seal.
This is the 2nd time I have ordered a set of rear wheel bearings and received two different designs. The brand I got last time was Moog. One looked like Timken design and the other was way different.
Anyhow, below are some pics:
Note the different labels:
Different flange thicknesses:
Solid 1-piece casting vs welded 2-piece ?? Also, different ABS toner ring.
I have requested a replacement for the right bearing. We'll see what I get this time when it comes in.
2nd time?
Talk about unlucky.... Hopefully you get right ones this time...
did they mention anything about the differences?
1st time was a few years ago for a Saturn. I took pictures of all the differences and sent them to RockAuto through their return section. They called the manufacturer about it and then told me that even though the designs were different, they should perform equally as good.
I ended up sending both bearings back and losing $$ on shipping both ways (around $18 I think). Not excessively horrible, but definitely irritating.
I received my replacement bearing today...faster than expected. It appears to be an authentic Timken bearing almost identical to the one I kept. The only difference is that this one has "Timken" etched into the hub face along with some other code. The other one has no markings at all, anywhere. But, both look good and I'll be using them when I do the rear brakes.
I should mention that on RockAuto's website there are several lower quality bearings available that have the same part number as the Timken. I believe they put one of those bearings in a Timken box and sent it to me. The etching on the hub face did not say Timken on it, but rather the P/N with a 'W" in front. It may have been a WJB bearing assembly.
Be sure to stay sharp and inspect your parts before you put them on your car everyone. Sometimes you aren't getting what you pay for.
