Is it common to get BCA/NTN bearings that are not stamped NTN/BCA?

[apollo18]

hey all,

I understand BCA/NTN is basically the same company but was wondering what it means if a bearing sold by BCA does not have any stamp on the side of bearing regarding NTN/BCA

As far as I saw online and some photos, it seems that normally ntn will have a stamp on the side of the bearing. however the bearing i got for my vehicle from BCA came blank. I got it from Walmart but it was 'shipped/sold by Walmart' so far as I know this is a directly Walmart sourced bearing. Tbh the box and all that looks real and the bearing was sealed in plastic inside so I don't think someone else swapped anything but who knows.

I was in the assumption BCA/NTN made there own bearings but I assume this is probably a different brand bearing and they are selling it under the BCA/NTN name? or is it common to get a BCA/NTN bearing that doesn't have any NTN/BCA writing on the sides?

I attached a photo of what the bearing looks like on the website btw and also what i got in person. most online photos and other review photos of other bca/ntn bearings usually came with a ntn stamp as far as i know unless im wrong.

I called BCA and they said that it means they didn't make it but its still from a high quality bearing maker. They only stamp ones made by them. Not sure if this is a beat around the bush answer or if its the truth, regardless I feel like it could be any manufacturer so it kinda makes me wanna use my other bearing

On a side note, i picked up a SKF bearing and it's made in Italy and has a SKF stamp too so thats good news!



Thanks!

 

[kschachn]

What it shows on a website is pretty irrelevant, marketing photos change all the time.

Please post a picture of your bearing.

 

[apollo18]

here is the pics of the bearing i got, it came in a bcabearings box and was sealed in plastic with this white plastic cap thing.
it didn't look like the box was tampered or a return since the bearing was sealed but who knows these days

 

[apollo18]

What it shows on a website is pretty irrelevant, marketing photos change all the time.

Please post a picture of your bearing.

thank you just added!

 

[Rand]

no markings at all? seems suspicious.

 

[Trav]

It looks like there is writing on the outer race, you may need a loupe to read it.

 

[kschachn]

thank you just added!

I’m not much of a conspiracy theorist but that seems a bit sketchy.

 

[apollo18]

It looks like there is writing on the outer race, you may need a loupe to read it.

ty however i looked very close and i think the photo just makes it look that way due to the fine scratches on the steel. i triple checked v closely and don't see a word

 

[apollo18]

I called BCA and they said that means they didn't make it but its still from a HQ bearing maker. They only stamp ones made by them

Not sure if this is just a beat around the bush answer or if it makes sense. Regardless not sure who could have made it since most brands do stamp so it would atleast show a competitor stamp unless im wrong

 

[apollo18]

no markings at all? seems suspicious.

none sadly

 

[Trav]

Too much work to mess around with iffy stuff IMO.

 

[apollo18]

Too much work to mess around with iffy stuff IMO.

i agree, imma install the skf for now and then see what happens regarding this one, maybe ill use it in the other wheel if turns out its fine but then again would feel better with a stamped one

 

[apollo18]

i assume they are going the timken route and just selecting a other brand wearing if they can easily get it on hand and slapping it into the bca box i guess

 

[D60]

Check out post #15 here, they make no attempt to hide Koyo in assemblies:

D

Thread '2nd Gen Tundra rear wheel bearing removal'

Feb 14, 2025

I need to do a rear wheel bearing on an '08 Tundra. The bearing is largely retained by a ring that presses on behind the bearing.

In just about everything I've seen (including SMA) the retainer is cut or relieved for removal. Is this necessary? It all presses on, but perhaps with time and heat cycling it can't also simply be pressed off?

Assume that a 50T press and the special tool are available.

• D60
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

Furthermore, it makes ZERO sense to send out bearings with ZERO markings. How do you track and trace failures? How do you handle warranty? If nothing else best practice would dictate an internal stock number or vendor ID.

If you suddenly see a rash of failures, what do you do? Gosh golly, these shiny round things ain't spinnin' so well no more! Who made it? Dunno. Which plant? Dunno. What was date of manufacture? Dunno.

 

[apollo18]

Check out post #15 here, they make no attempt to hide Koyo in assemblies:

D

Thread '2nd Gen Tundra rear wheel bearing removal'

Feb 14, 2025

I need to do a rear wheel bearing on an '08 Tundra. The bearing is largely retained by a ring that presses on behind the bearing.

In just about everything I've seen (including SMA) the retainer is cut or relieved for removal. Is this necessary? It all presses on, but perhaps with time and heat cycling it can't also simply be pressed off?

Assume that a 50T press and the special tool are available.

• D60
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

Furthermore, it makes ZERO sense to send out bearings with ZERO markings. How do you track and trace failures? How do you handle warranty? If nothing else best practice would dictate an internal stock number or vendor ID.

If you suddenly see a rash of failures, what do you do? Gosh golly, these shiny round things ain't spinnin' so well no more! Who made it? Dunno. Which plant? Dunno. What was date of manufacture? Dunno.

Thank you for the input. I completely agree it makes 0 sense.

I did not notice any signs of tampering since it was sealed but this could be a case where someone bought this and returned it back to Walmart and put a no name bearing inside

 

[berniedd]

A little off tangent here, but after a few years of use, can that brown seal be pried off safely and the old grease removed and repacked with new grease?

 

[apollo18]

A little off tangent here, but after a few years of use, can that brown seal be pried off safely and the old grease removed and repacked with new grease?

Idk about reusing the old seal but It feels removeable. Would probably want to have a new seal

 

[apollo18]

**UPDATE** i got another one from Walmart as this was bugging me and voila, i got a NTN marked bearing. Same model # as I ordered before but this time a NTN stamped one.

This leads me to think the last customer who ordered this part probably swapped in a chinese junk one and returned it and sadly I got the returned one with my order.

Nevertheless always check what you get even if it seems sealed

 

[D60]

**UPDATE** i got another one from Walmart as this was bugging me and voila, i got a NTN marked bearing. Same model # as I ordered before but this time a NTN stamped one.

This leads me to think the last customer who ordered this part probably swapped in a chinese junk one and returned it and sadly I got the returned one with my order.

Nevertheless always check what you get even if it seems sealed

It's still disappointing if they lied and said they send 'em out completely unmarked. Just makes no sense.

 

[apollo18]

It's still disappointing if they lied and said they send 'em out completely unmarked. Just makes no sense.

agreed tbh just seems like a customer service rep that doesnt know what hes talking about trying his best for me to hang up the call