any shiters had any probs with Korean wheel bearings?

[noseypoke]

Recently bought a set of Classic Mini wheel bearings.Have not got around to fitting them yet,now wondering if I should fie em after reading a thread on one of the Mini Forums.

They (MF) rekon the bearings will not torque up properly and actually lock up about one third of the torque req?

Yet other posters say they've had no problems whatsoever.

Some posters say if they use them with the original FLAT washer(under the hub nut) they have been able to sit the bearings properly and then torqued up,no worries.

The bearings come in a no-name box,with CLASSIC WHEEL BEARING KIT printed in large letters,then under that it states..

Radlagersatz,Europe.

The kit includes 2 bearings..1 inner,1 outer. Tapered,with built in spacer,FHBC  NP419272,the reverse side states FHBC  KOR  NP880810.  Any Brain-box Shiters know any of these codes.

1 oil seal,with  the word ACCOR and the following numbers 212   137   31   3 spaced out around the seals flat end.

1 satchet of Exxon Mobil Polyrex EM  Long Life Bearing Grease.

1 New split pin.

Some  guys that have fitted them say their a good deal £12 per kit,opposed to Timken bearings at +£50 a kit.

Others are saying DON'T TOUCH EM??

I've even been told Timken have shut down years ago.

Any ideas guys, should I fit em,I'm tempted.

Thanx in advance.

[Tamworthbay]

They are very variable. A few guys in our local mini club have used them, some have had no issues, other times they are a nightmare. They have very short life as well - one set lasted less than 1500 miles. Whereas timken are usually good for 40-60000 miles. If you can afford to go timken, otherwise take a chance and hope you are lucky.

[fordperv]

I bought a pair of wheel bearings from an eBay supplier not a mini but for sierra cosworth front hubs, they were supposed to be skf, one set was skf the other a brand I've never heard of, i fitted the skf, torqued it up to the specified torque and it was beautiful, silky smooth. I was stuck so fitted the unknown brand to the other side, torqued up to the specified torque and it was very tight didnt want to turn, when it did turn it was rough, so ended up buying an skf from somewhere else

 

I'd say because you have them use them if they fail you've lost nothing but your time fitting them, you could end up being surprised but if you Want piece of mind get the decent ones

[Rusty_Rocket]

Exactly as above- totally hit n miss.

I fitted both sides to a pal's Mini 850, driver's side lasted around 500 miles, passenger side still fine. I'm sure I fitted both sides correctly, outers seated perfectly, well packed with clean grease etc.

The original stuff was top quality.. replacements today are very poor in comparison.

IMO I'd buy the best you can because I hate doing a job twice.

[michael1703]

Had issues with cheap bearings supplied by customers, I only fit decent ones myself

 

Put your postcode in on bsl website, they can be dearer but fit and forget

 

http://www.brammer.co.uk

[noseypoke]

Cheers michael1703,

went on their site,they've got a place in Bootle,not far away,I'll call in on Monday,Thanks.

Cheers to all for imput

[twosmoke300]

Fag/ skf all the way here . Lessons learnt on cheapy bearings

[twosmoke300]

Oh and Bsl are a pain in the ass . The price they charge joe public is mental but trade get 90% discount but really hard to work out the discount matrix they use . Just order skf from simply bearings or a fag kit from your local motor factors

[strangeangel]

Decent bearings (e.g. SKF or FAG) cost peanuts so why bother?

[Honey Badger]

Shouldnt this go in the stupid question amnesty thread,? Not having a go at the orginal poster but we get more and more of these questions cluttering the board when theres a thread to keep them all in.