/5 4speed bearings

[sprints@pldi.net]

I emailed Duane about this but I don't know if he received it or not so I'm pretty sure he will read it here and offer his help.
I'm rebuilding a /5 4 speed and I have 2 bearings that need replaced. They are very common bearing numbers available from half a dozen brand name bearing companies. I'm finding that the price varies from under $10 to over $40 for the same bearing depending on the brand. Perhaps some are a more precise grade than others.
Does anyone know if it is going to make any difference anyway? I've rebuilt a number of motorcycle engines and replaces engine and transmission bearing as well as wheel bearings and never gave a second thought to buying the higher priced bearings and have never had a failure or 'complaint' from anything I've use them on.

Any experienced suggestions from someone who's done this? Thanks - Rod

[jagarra]

Bearings have a rating system to indicate precision, such as abec 3, 5, 7 and 9, 9 being the highest. I would stay away from Chinese bearings. Japan makes good quality, USA does, as well as the Germans. Your best bet would be to go to a bearing house that specializes in supplying bearings to get some feedback on brands. Like anything else, quality and precision costs more.

[Duane Ausherman]

Are those prices all for C3 bearings? That is the high clearance bearing classification. As jagarra said, use bearings from a good firm/country and you will be fine.

I don't recall getting any email about transmissions lately. What address did you use?

[ME 109]

I don't recall getting any email about transmissions lately. What address did you use?

Diane's.

My failed output shaft bearing was a SKF, with China written on it. I think I've also seen FAG bearings with Korea on them?

[sprints@pldi.net]

Duane - w6rec@softcom.net
Thanks for all the replies guys - that's what I needed to know - Rod

[jagarra]

Using off shore suppliers for name brands is becoming the wild card. I bought some Timken bearings for one of my vehicles, made in China on the box. Seems many of them are doing the same. I guess you have to rely on whoever manufactures the bearing following the specs of the item.
When we used to buy hundreds of bearings to put into our repairs I had really good luck with bearing made in the Eastern block countries, like Yugoslavia.
Still believe that talking to a bearing supplier will give you an idea who is making good bearings now, he gets feedback from other customers on failures and quality. I used to rely on my supplier to find what I needed by checking excess inventory and old stock of bearings.

[richard t]

Ron, Look for a bearing with ISO 9001 Certification, I know a guy at Purvis in OKC that I used for years at work, also Fleck has a store in the city too