Reference: Fake Bearings

[rob love]

I believe the proper term is counterfeit bearings as opposed to fake. There were problems back to the early 90s with counterfeit bolts entering military and commercial service. The head markings would indicate high grade, but they were offshore, low grade, improperly marked bolts and nuts. For a while the M109s had a problem with the flexplate bolts shearing off, and there was at least one large structure in the US where the problem became obvious after the framework had been erected. It was a serious enough problem that there were senate hearings on the subject.

I remember when Japan and Taiwan were looked at as poor quality products. Now they are regarded as quality. China will get there when it is ready. Problem in the meantime is when you buy a bearing, the cheap one and the expensive one may well be the same factory.