ANYONE HEARD of Axle Teknology Bearings

[ForBruce]

these are distributed by e-trailer and others

wonder how they rate as compared to Timken or NTS

[rohrmann]

Until someone proves otherwise, they are just another Chinese bearing imported by a US company. http://www.axleteknology.com/Axletek/Welcome.html

[ForBruce]

wonder where temken and national are really made....

and then is there REALLY any difference in Bearing quality


(that should open up a can of worms)

[BB_TX]

A little googling. Timken apparently does manufacturer some bearings in the US. But also obtains some of its bearings from suppliers who get them from China, but packages them under the Timken name. Box says Timken, but bearing says Made in China. Apparently you have to open each box and look at the bearing.
National apparently does similar, some domestic, some foreign.

[ForBruce]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

A little googling. Timken apparently does manufacturer some bearings in the US. But also obtains some of its bearings from suppliers who get them from China, but packages them under the Timken name. Box says Timken, but bearing says Made in China. Apparently you have to open each box and look at the bearing.
National apparently does similar, some domestic, some foreign.

so i AM NO BETTER OFF BUYING THE TIMKEN BRAND AS COMPARED TO CHINA

just like picking straws..or innie , minnie ,miney , mo

[jsb5717]

There's still no way to know if one is actually better than another except by reputation. Sailun Tires, with a great reputation, are made in China along with the less reputable China Bombs. Just like here, it's possible for China to produce both lower and higher quality products in the same category.

It's also possible over time for a brand with a good reputation to start to slip in quality. Best gauge is time and user reviews.

[mhs4771]

Probably not 100% correct. Some things from China are high quality and made to US MFR specs. Take Sailun Tires as a good example, almost a 100% satisfaction from anyone who have purchased them, yet while the Goodyear Marathons were called China Bombs because of so many failures.
So to sum it up, hopefully the Chinese made Timken are made to the same specs and quality as the US made.

Jeff, looks like you and I were typing at the same time with the same basic message.

[ForBruce]

ok.....so now which deal would you choose ?

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Jeff, looks like you and I were typing at the same time with the same basic message.

Great minds...

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by ForBruce

ok.....so now which deal would you choose ?

For what it is worth ,my son runs a business with two tandem axle box trailers , they came with I would imagine the cheap bearings, we keep them packed , and they run those trailers daily , thousands of mile on those bearings.

Here about a year ago ,we tore it down ,and replaced them for no other good reason then he thought maybe it was time after several years . He bought whatever they supplied at Auto Zone, and they were definitely Chinese bearings, packed them like we always do, and he he has put several thousand on them also. no issues. IMO he did not have to even replace them, just pack them again ,they looked good.

I have run 4 different fifth wheels ,and they all were most likely the cheaper Chinese bearings.Have never had a problem, again IMO its all in the maintenance of the bearings. The one thing I DON"T do is use those bearing buddies , I tear it down ,replace the seals ,and pack by hand the right way. Using quality grease , any brand that Dexter has on there PDF .

[BobStack]

There are two Timken manufacturing plants that I know of and both are in New Hampshire. I service both locations and I can tell you from experience that the products they produce are of excellent quality.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by BobStack

There are two Timken manufacturing plants that I know of and both are in New Hampshire. I service both locations and I can tell you from experience that the products they produce are of excellent quality.

From what I have read about Timken. New Hampshire or wherever , but no guarantees they are manufactured there , assembled there, and the parts made elsewhere like China, with made in the US on them.

[BobStack]

That is incorrect, they produce most of the bearings for the US in those two locations and also have a policy of 100% testing of each part before and after being assembled. I know this for a fact because I calibrate the testing equipment used at their facilities.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by BobStack

That is incorrect, they produce most of the bearings for the US in those two locations and also have a policy of 100% testing of each part before and after being assembled. I know this for a fact because I calibrate the testing equipment used at their facilities.

Thats good to know , because I have read otherwise . Although key word " Most "

[PSFORD99]

You know first hand they manufacture the parts ,not just assemble ,and test .

[Ram Montana High Country]

Buy one set of each - if they fail, you'll have replacements.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by ForBruce

so i AM NO BETTER OFF BUYING THE TIMKEN BRAND AS COMPARED TO CHINA

just like picking straws..or innie , minnie ,miney , mo

I would not say that. Timken will have its own QA parameters and maybe even inspectors on site. LOTS of companies have been doing that for many years now. How much money are you actually talking about and what is worst case scenario either way. For me my life and less than $100 don't compute.

[Theo]

I work in the parts business for 37 years back in the late 90s or early 2000 timken offer their sets in either China brand or US the China had met in China on them
They did this to be competitive with the other stuff on the market
I agree pack an check your bearings they should be good for a long time info you do so

[mtheo]

Well I know not everybody will agree with me, but I buy American whether it cost a little more or not. I'm sick and tired of Americans helping China take over the world and refuse to buy Chinese unless I can't find it made in any other country friendly to America.

[Jeff n Susan]

The quality of the bearing does not exceed the maintenance of it! Keep anything well maintained and you can minimize the failure rate. Even the good ones fail when not properly maintained. Tear them down, repack them, and replace the seals. Money well spent on maintaining them instead of replacing them! Just my opinion!