How to spot fake bearings

Counterfeit bearings copy the box and the brand name of well-known makers but use poor steel, rough grinding and cheap cages. They look fine on the shelf and fail in weeks, and the mechanic who fitted them takes the blame.

7 checks

1. Price that is too good. A branded bearing far below the market rate is the biggest warning sign.
2. Packaging print. Look for blurred printing, spelling mistakes, wrong colours, flimsy cardboard and missing batch details.
3. Markings on the ring. Genuine markings are crisp, evenly spaced and in the same font across a batch. Smudged, uneven or shallow etching is suspicious.
4. Finish. Look at the raceways and ring faces. Chatter marks, rust spots, uneven chamfers or discoloured rings point to poor manufacturing.
5. Feel. Spin it by hand. A good bearing turns smoothly and quietly. Roughness, clicking or play in a new bearing is a bad sign.
6. Seals and shields. Badly fitted, loose or uneven seals and shields are common on copies.
7. The supplier. Buy from a known dealer who will stand behind the product and replace genuine defects.

Check with the maker

Several big bearing brands offer a way to verify their products, such as an authentication app or a check through their authorised distributor. If you are unsure, contact the brand directly.

Buying from AMB

AMB Bearings has supplied dealers and workshops for about sixteen years from Changodar, Ahmedabad. Along with our own AMB brand we deal in standard and original bearings from NBC, SKF, Timken, Delux, Texspin and others, and our return and replacement policy covers manufacturing defects.

Frequently asked questions