Bearing Confusion

[Achto 27,622]

Just to be clear I am confused in the variance in price for the same bearing.

 

I'm currently working on a Kohler K321 that had water intrusion and needs new main bearings. Part #235376-S. I have never had to replace main bearings on a Kohler in the past so I was in no way prepared for the sticker shock when I looked up the Kohler part. With out further ado here is a site with an average price for the bearing. Note: This price is for one bearing.

 

https://www.sepw.com/parts/kohler-235376-s-bearing-ball/

 

Well.... after I stood back up and picked my jaw off from the floor the realization that Kohler most likely did not actually make these bearings hit me. And I was right!! The bearings were MRC 308s, sooo back to the computer to see what I could find for prices again. Here is were the real confusion set in.

 

Price number one on the Jungle Site. $174

https://www.amazon.com/MRC-SKF-Radial-Groove-Bearing/dp/B08JVC7SXG/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=mrc+308s&qid=1610675424&sr=8-3

 

Price number 2 at Motion Industries $70

https://www.motionindustries.com/products/sku/00056807;origin=sayt

 

Price Number 3 at MRO Supply $35

https://www.mrosupply.com/bearings/radial-ball-bearings/1132529_308s_mrc-bearing/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA

 

There were some lower priced used bearings on some sites as well as used ones at $60+. I settled in on the one from MRO Supply.

 

I just have a hard time swallowing these price differences for the same bearing. I realize that every body has to eat but it seems that some wish to live on steak & lobster.

 

It sure pays to shop around when you are looking for parts

 

 

[roadapples 6,983]

Maybe the Big Bearing  Store...

[Stepney 2,325]

A few of my old sleds had oddball bearings.. I remember that suffrage. 
Had a Ruston Hornsby here once for some things, oddball little stationary engine. It had Whitworth fittings on it, up till that point I had never heard of the system, save for my Raleigh bicycle.. the folks at the local industrial supply were .. confused, to say the least. 
Thems weren't cheap either.. 

[roadapples 6,983]

I have bought snowblower bearings from The Big Bearing Store.

8 minutes ago, roadapples said:

Maybe the Big Bearing  Store...

 

[ebinmaine 67,697]

8 hours ago, Achto said:

It sure pays to shop around when you are looking for parts

 

 

Both of us around this ranch are frugal people. Trina more so than I.
If the right tool/parts/item is at the right price we have no problem parting with our funds. We'd rather spend $200 on an item one time than spend $50 four times on cheaper versions.

That said, I have a habit / hobby / complete obsession with finding the best price on something when I order online.
Occasionally I do have a big win like you did with that bearing but usually I'll spend 40 minutes poking around to save only a few bucks.
Practical? Not usually. But I do enjoy it. I kind of take it as a personal self challenge.

 

 

 

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

10 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

Both of us around this ranch are frugal people. Trina more so than I.
If the right tool/parts/item is at the right price we have no problem parting with our funds. We'd rather spend $200 on an item one time than spend $50 four times on cheaper versions.

That said, I have a habit / hobby / complete obsession with finding the best price on something when I order online.
Occasionally I do have a big win like you did with that bearing but usually I'll spend 40 minutes poking around to save only a few bucks.
Practical? Not usually. But I do enjoy it. I kind of take it as a personal self challenge.

 

 

 

Feeling the same way, if i find a great deal, i even get a kick! 

 

But i also know the feeling, paying something and then seeing it cheaper the next day

[squonk 41,164]

Bearings like anything else differ in price depending on where it's made, what it's made out of to how many hands it passes thru before you the end user gets his greasy paws on it. Then it's quality control (2 bearings from the same assembly line may be a few thousands different from each other ect.) I have found from working in the auto parts industry for 10 years and industrial maint. for 20 is the fact that the cheapest isn't always the worst and the most expensive isn't always the best.

 

I would tend to spend more on say a Kohler engine bearing than on an  outer PTO pulley bearing just because of the fact of how much work it will take to change.

Edited January 15, 2021 by squonk

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Buying from a source expecting to supply the end user is the most expensive choice.  Eg:  Dealer,  Toro

 

Buying from a BIG bearing source is the least expensive choice.  Eg: Wholesaler,  Kaman.com

 

We have a local Kaman Bearings and the savings can be HUGE on brand names, the only kind to buy!  SKF, NSK, Timken and I'm sure others.  And armed with the actual bearing part number Google can your friend.

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

I Save Tractors has em for 50 a set

[richmondred01 2,237]

Kohler does not make the bearing.
After market, for a pair, should cost 50-55.

Edited January 15, 2021 by richmondred01

[richmondred01 2,237]

I’ll send you a link for a pair.

[Raider69 65]

On 1/15/2021 at 6:47 AM, DennisThornton said:

Buying from a source expecting to supply the end user is the most expensive choice.  Eg:  Dealer,  Toro

 

Buying from a BIG bearing source is the least expensive choice.  Eg: Wholesaler,  Kaman.com

 

We have a local Kaman Bearings and the savings can be HUGE on brand names, the only kind to buy!  SKF, NSK, Timken and I'm sure others.  And armed with the actual bearing part number Google can your friend.

 

In the late 70's I worked in the parts dept. of a construction equipment dealer and the mark up on roller bearings was astronomical.  We were charging over $100 for a bearing that you could go to a local bearing house and buy for under $5! I was the "runner" for the dealership besides working the parts counter and I went to Berry Bearing and Iowa Bearing multiple times a week, I also wrote up some of the invoices so I saw what we paid and what we charged, CRAZY!

[DennisThornton 4,769]

1 hour ago, Raider69 said:

 

In the late 70's I worked in the parts dept. of a construction equipment dealer and the mark up on roller bearings was astronomical.  We were charging over $100 for a bearing that you could go to a local bearing house and buy for under $5! I was the "runner" for the dealership besides working the parts counter and I went to Berry Bearing and Iowa Bearing multiple times a week, I also wrote up some of the invoices so I saw what we paid and what we charged, CRAZY!

There's fair pricing, then really good and then rape.  But, that's where Google and groups like this help even the playing field.  All you need is a bearing number right off the old bearing.

[Kelsey 91]

 Our K241 crank bearings have MGMRADAX  HUNGRY 6308 stamped on it. I'm curious

to see how these 31 year old bearings cross reference to a different manufacturer. 

 

I found this bearing on Amazon : 

NTN 6308C3 Bearing Open 40x90x23 mm 6308 C3 

Could these bearing be used?

Edited July 29, 2021 by Kelsey

[pfrederi 17,741]

The 6308 defines the size  any added letters usually address seals or other uniqueness

 

 

[WheelhorseBob 1,549]

Kohler sticker shock....near and dear to my heart lately. Glad you found a reasonable alternative.

[Kelsey 91]

11 hours ago, pfrederi said:

The 6308 defines the size  any added letters usually address seals or other uniqueness

 

 

 

 

Thank you Brother! The things you learn here at RedSquare !!

 

 

[Crazyredhorse 295]

Wow most would probably grease it throw it back together sell it as (runs needs carb cleaning)