Which Center Support Bearing?

[BeMyWay]

I have a 1976 '02, manual shift, that I am preparing to switch out the Center Support Bearing (CSB).  

 

My problem is, there are so many brands to choose from and the prices vary from $13 to $59.  

 

So I need your opinion on which brand you recommend and why? 

Thanks.

 

Edited February 16, 2017 by BeMyWay

[TobyB]

Lemforder

 

Not Uro, Meyle, sensen, fung shway, cheng shin, cabbage patch, or cooling depot.

 

because all of them have failed me in one way or another.

 

Actually, looking around, I would only try the Beck-Arnley one, but then try to figure out what was in the box.

Because the options at the usual places are looking pretty... unattractive...

 

t

[Simeon]

This is why I like to use Blunt because you can have an honest conversation* about the quality of parts. While I don't think he sells any out and out rubbish, you can be clear about what is a budget friendly part Vs expensive OEM quality as well as what applications to skimp on vs those that benefit from the extra cost. 

 

 

*never actually spoken to the guy, all correspondence by email. 

[BeMyWay]

16 hours ago, Simeon said:

This is why I like to use Blunt because you can have an honest conversation* about the quality of parts. While I don't think he sells any out and out rubbish, you can be clear about what is a budget friendly part Vs expensive OEM quality as well as what applications to skimp on vs those that benefit from the extra cost. 

 

 

*never actually spoken to the guy, all correspondence by email. 

I have purchased many parts from Blunt also...I will try to see what he has.  I was just too lazy and did not want to log into another site to buy something from them...I'm getting cranky about all this logging-in stuff.  

 

 

19 hours ago, TobyB said:

Lemforder

 

Not Uro, Meyle, sensen, fung shway, cheng shin, cabbage patch, or cooling depot.

 

because all of them have failed me in one way or another.

 

Actually, looking around, I would only try the Beck-Arnley one, but then try to figure out what was in the box.

Because the options at the usual places are looking pretty... unattractive...

 

t

Toby...thanks for your recommendations.  I am not sure what you are referring to when you said, "I would only try the Beck-Arnley one, but then try to figure out what was in the box."   

 

I have use Beck-Arnley products before and they have seem to be a good product.  I think I will be needing the U-Joint also, because I see grease.  

 

  

Take care.

Edited February 17, 2017 by BeMyWay

[TobyB]

Beck Arnley products are made by someone else-  often, someone good.

 

I went looking at the usual suspects, and there didn't seem to be any 'top shelf' manufacturers offering support bearings.

 

But before you buy, get that u- joint sorted- the 2002 driveshaft is non- servicable, so t's tougher than just popping in a new spider...

 

sorry,

 

t

 

[BeMyWay]

1 hour ago, TobyB said:

Beck Arnley products are made by someone else-  often, someone good.

 

I went looking at the usual suspects, and there didn't seem to be any 'top shelf' manufacturers offering support bearings.

 

But before you buy, get that u- joint sorted- the 2002 driveshaft is non- servicable, so t's tougher than just popping in a new spider...

 

sorry,

 

t

 

Toby...I am sorry to do this you again, but what is non-servicable?  Are you meaning it needs to be taken to a speciality shop for this work, or...GULP...replaced entirely?

Thanks.

[JohnS]

Ireland Engineering sells center support bearings made by FEBI.  They are good.

[TobyB]

A normal joint, you pop some clips out somewhere, and then the cups come out, dropping needle bearings everywhere.

 

BMW thought that clips were too... I dunno, pedestrian?  and so they staked the cups in place.

 

Yes, it's kind of expensive to get repaired.  Usually, a shop will machine out the u- joints and fit

serviceable spiders in there.  $400 or so later, you can now do what used to cost $30 and take a vice and some care.

 

Search- there was a driveshaft rebuilding thread a while back with who's doing it currently.  I have used Driveline Service of Portland, and if they're still doing it, they do solid work.

 

John, I have bad news about Febi- some of their stuff is coming through from China, and not the better parts of China, either... so be careful!

It seems to vary- some things are still good, others, less so...

 

t

 

[Buckeye]

+1 on Febi CSB

 

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/26111206502/

[landon]

Just checking on this part and see Rein and URO available around $15. BMW dealer part for $300.00.

 

Any experience with these brands?

 

TIA

[AceAndrew]

Yes, and no, do not use them.  Reasonable (quality) priced alternatives have already been mentioned in this thread.

[Flamingo 5]

Why not just buy from Bmw dealer

 

[landon]

9 hours ago, AceAndrew said:

Yes, and no, do not use them.  Reasonable (quality) priced alternatives have already been mentioned in this thread.

Yes, that's what i thought. I did not see anything regarding Rein so thought I would ask. I did find a FEBI bearing and some say it's good - others bad? I did find a better deal on a dealer part - $283!

[iinca]

4 hours ago, West Palm 2002 said:

Why not just buy from Bmw dealer

 

 

Some of us have to eat...

[AceAndrew]

39 minutes ago, landon said:

I did find a FEBI bearing and some say it's good - others bad?

 

They have a much better chance of being "good" than bad.  I ran one for three years at approx. 50k miles.  I've sold a couple hundred, few were not good, but the vast majority panned out well.