Let's Discuss Rotorhead Bearings

[Ron Iaconis]

WE need a thread to address Rotorhead bearings. I was able to get a Chinese 5206 sealed bearing made inChina fo $13.00. I have had ground strikes with blades, and the rotor bearing survuived fairly well. Meaning when I spun it after the blade strike, it had no noticable roughness to it. But after the groung strike, with the China bearing, the roughness and noise that the bearing made was very bad, noticable, extreemly rough sounding. So I understand from others that made in Germany/Europe, or America,and yes Japan is OK too, but the middle east or China is not recommended as a supplier of rotorhead bearings.
Does anyone have additional input?

[AirHorse1]

Does anyone know of a good online supplier to get these bearings?

[Allantat]

Ron. Although this is not a Rotor Head bearing it was MADE IN CHINA.. It's a

wheel bearing that shattered on assembly. The bearing had a block of wood

laid over it and was being TAPPED in...not BEATEN in! On the 4TH tap it

shattered with a loud crack. The aluminum rim had also been heated for

easier installation.

Since most of the U.S rolls on wheels... and we outsource to save a

buck....I think this is how the Chinese will win

the war WITHOUT a shot being fired. Our bearings will break or sieze

and we will come to a slow stop!

[Friendly]

I bought some bearing for a mag last year at a bearing suppy house. I told the owner it was for aircraft use and he told me do not buy Chinise bearing or Asian. He said make sure they were German, Japan or USA. He sells them and has years of experience.

[Jim]

Folks,

Rotor bearings were discussed in http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2408&page=1&pp=15.

Here you can see the numbers and manufacturers of bearings. I find that bearings from reputable manufacturers are not that expensive. Personally I will never use a bearing from an unknown source in the rotorhead. The Thread above also leads to a story of people killed when bearings give.

On page 3 of this thread I wrote: "Recently I also went on line to http://www.ina.de. They have an excellent site. Type in the number of the bearing in question and a description and sketch of the bearing comes up. Answered all my dumb questions in an earlier posting. I found that http://www.skf.com is also good" These web-sites give good references.

Again: Using reputable bearings in a part so vital as a rotar head is just good insurance!

Jim

[RayAR3]

US takes industry away from Europe. US work goes to Mexico and Canada with NAFTA. Canada and Mexico lose it to China/India. Wait a few years and we'll get it back...

[automan1223]

Look guy,

I am an automotive tech/mechanic. I work with parts all the time. You can take made in china stuff right out of the box and spin it in your hands and you can feel the roughness and see the poor quality of the metal. I have had my experiences with NAPA brand x made in china stuff and its all junk, all went back after wasting my time installing the stuff.

A rotorbearing is between you and GOD. Save yourself and call any one of the major mfgs, brock, aircommand, even raf and save yourself. China and india has the labor but they still dont have the mfg technology and even after they do I dont trust their quality control.

Why are you having rotors hit, get training, get safe. Any rotorstrike requires bearing change. PERIOD. NO questions.

Jonathan