Are these ACL Bearings damaged?

[HonestA]

Bought some mixed sets of acl bearings so i could replace the rod bearings sooner than waiting to see when i could buy BE since my car is my dd and its getting close to 100k. Bought the car less than a month ago so i really want to get this done before anything else. Just need to make sure if this is normal for acl bearings or if i received a bad batch. Any help is very appreciated!

[nycplumber]

I would say yes

[Gossypiboma]

Yes, their website has a specific section explaining the look of their bearings.

[HonestA]

Originally Posted by BigBoosting

Yes, their website has a specific section explaining the look of their bearings.

Care to link? I went on acl website but i couldn't find anything specific about it. I know the notch is normal,i was more concerned about the corner of the bearings.

[komelon1963]

i don't think so

[Pig Farmer]

I measured and mixed my own set of ACLs a few months ago. I just went out to the garage to look at the extra bearings that were not installed in the car. The edge of the bearings looked similar to your second photo. It may be an optical illusion, but the first, third and fourth photos look like the outer edge is ground down to give significantly more clearance that the tab itself. None of my bearings had that look. I can’t really tell you if that is normal... I can only say that mine did not look that way.

Btw, is that a single bearing, or do you see the same thing on multiple bearings? And do you see it on the H and HX? I’m wondering if there has been a change in the manufacturing process.

[tdott]

Who mixed the set?

[HonestA]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

I measured and mixed my own set of ACLs a few months ago. I just went out to the garage to look at the extra bearings that were not installed in the car. The edge of the bearings looked similar to your second photo. It may be an optical illusion, but the first, third and fourth photos look like the outer edge is ground down to give significantly more clearance that the tab itself. None of my bearings had that look. I can't really tell you if that is normal... I can only say that mine did not look that way.

Btw, is that a single bearing, or do you see the same thing on multiple bearings? And do you see it on the H and HX? I'm wondering if there has been a change in the manufacturing process.

Thanks for checking, I ordered a set of the mixed shells and the bearing in the pictures is an upper bearing. All of the upper bearings looked similar to this one, notch, with the end looking like it was grounded down. I didn't check the lower bearings just yet and can't currently as I'm at work. The reason i figured I'd ask here is because when i was researching, I saw a post on Facebook about a guy asking the exact same thing i am. It was pretty 50/50 whether it was normal or not. So I'm trying to find out if its a defect or a different design maybe? Seems strange that they would change their design now.

[HonestA]

Originally Posted by tdott

Who mixed the set?

I bought the mixed set from mpower motorsports because he told me he actually measures all of the mixed shells. Dudes been really helpful so i hope it doesn't appear like I'm trying to bash him or that I don't trust him. Just want to be 100% certain that these are good to use.

[HonestA]

Also,to the folks who said yes, is that yes to it being damaged or yes to it being normal? That's my bad on it being confusing lol

[SAMM3Y]

Normal you paid for the measured mixed set. You'll have to trust your vendor.

[Pig Farmer]

Originally Posted by HonestA

Thanks for checking, I ordered a set of the mixed shells and the bearing in the pictures is an upper bearing. All of the upper bearings looked similar to this one, notch, with the end looking like it was grounded down. I didn't check the lower bearings just yet and can't currently as I'm at work. The reason i figured I'd ask here is because when i was researching, I saw a post on Facebook about a guy asking the exact same thing i am. It was pretty 50/50 whether it was normal or not. So I'm trying to find out if its a defect or a different design maybe? Seems strange that they would change their design now.

The upper bearings should be the H-STD, and the lower bearings should be HX-STD. Once you have time to check, it would be interesting to know if the lowers have the same grind marks. Just make sure they aren’t H-001 or H-025 which reduce clearance.

[HonestA]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

The upper bearings should be the H-STD, and the lower bearings should be HX-STD. Once you have time to check, it would be interesting to know if the lowers have the same grind marks. Just make sure they aren’t H-001 or H-025 which reduce clearance.

Okay cool, I didn't know which shell was the hx and which one was the standard,thanks for clarifying. I forgot to look at the lower shells today. I did contact ACL and sent someone pictures, and the tech guy wasnt too sure if that was normal so he's trying to contact one of the engineers to confirm if it is or not. I'll update whenever he gets back with me.

[HonestA]

So the ACL rep response was ""From the engineers " The corner is normal. This is a
feature performed where it is deemed necessary – usually on a case by
case basis, we call it “Notch Relief”. It is actually done on a groove
machine, not by filing – would not be possible to file the parts. It is
often done when there is a small section of material left between the notch and
the edge of the bearing – in many cases this small section can be subject to
distortion due to the notching operation itself. The best solution in
such cases is to remove the material. This feature is not detrimental to the
performance of the bearing.""
So thats good news. I asked if they have always been like that and he said there were some issues with first production run and that this was the correction they made.

[Pig Farmer]

Originally Posted by HonestA

So the ACL rep response was ""From the engineers " The corner is normal. This is a
feature performed where it is deemed necessary – usually on a case by
case basis, we call it “Notch Relief”. It is actually done on a groove
machine, not by filing – would not be possible to file the parts. It is
often done when there is a small section of material left between the notch and
the edge of the bearing – in many cases this small section can be subject to
distortion due to the notching operation itself. The best solution in
such cases is to remove the material. This feature is not detrimental to the
performance of the bearing.""
So thats good news. I asked if they have always been like that and he said there were some issues with first production run and that this was the correction they made.

That’s good to know. Welcome to the community, and good luck with the RB swap.

[TX]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

Normal you paid for the measured mixed set. You'll have to trust your vendor.

I would trust the above mentioned vendor more if the -custom mixed hand measured set- didn't arrive in the exact same heat shrink that is on every set of ACL bearings right out of a normal box. Maybe he has the exact same heat shrink material as ACL who knows...cut exactly the same size, even the same seam locations as the factory pack as if they were never opened. It does make me question it a bit if someone is just splitting sets and slapping a label on them that says "top" and "bottom" while advertising hand measuring each shell and putting custom sets together. I hope I'm wrong, please, please, please prove me wrong because I'd really really like to have faith in a vendor who seems to project good intentions here.


To the OP: Yes the sets I have are ground down to the side of the locating tang as your photos show on each bearing. Sets are from Nov 19 and Apr 20 H and HX STD.

Also OP: I'm not really sure why ACL responded that it was a correction they made on first production runs of bearings if they are still grinding the corners on bearings that I have from last year and this year.

[Green-Eggs]

Originally Posted by TX

I would trust the above mentioned vendor more if the -custom mixed hand measured set- didn't arrive in the exact same heat shrink that is on every set of ACL bearings right out of a normal box. Maybe he has the exact same heat shrink material as ACL who knows...cut exactly the same size, even the same seam locations as the factory pack as if they were never opened. It does make me question it a bit if someone is just splitting sets and slapping a label on them that says "top" and "bottom" while advertising hand measuring each shell and putting custom sets together. I hope I'm wrong, please, please, please prove me wrong because I'd really really like to have faith in a vendor who seems to project good intentions here.

It will be very easy to tell if the sets are hand measured because the measuring devices leave small marks that you can see with the naked eye. If a ball-anvil micrometer was used, it will leave a visible dimple in the location where the measurement was taken. If a drop indicator was used, then it will leave a small scrape mark in the location where the measurement was taken. Either way of measuring, it will leave a visible mark on the shells. There is a third way of measuring using a "test indicator." A test indicator might not leave a mark, or if it does will be very insignificant. A test indicator wouldn't be accurate to measure bearings and would be more time consuming as well. So let's assume this method was never used to measure.

[TX]

Green Eggs,
As always your knowledge is greatly appreciated.
Here are some photos of the above mentioned hand measured bearings for your inspection. Shrink wrap was opened as I post this. I do not notice any indents or marks. Please advise.
Uppers:

Lowers:

[Green-Eggs]

Originally Posted by TX

Green Eggs,
As always your knowledge is greatly appreciated.
Here are some photos of the above mentioned hand measured bearings for your inspection. Shrink wrap was opened as I post this. I do not notice any indents or marks. Please advise.

I just talked to Bert. He also bought a set after reading on FB this vendor had recently contracted ACL to make a custom sets of bearings for him -- not just hand measured mixed sets. I think he's planning to measure them with both methods to see what types of marks they do, or don't leave on the shells. He didn't say when...

[TX]

Originally Posted by Green-Eggs

I just talked to Bert. He also bought a set after reading on FB this vendor had recently contracted ACL to make a custom sets of bearings for him -- not just hand measured mixed sets. I think he's planning to measure them with both methods to see what types of marks they do, or don't leave on the shells. He didn't say when...

That is very interesting indeed, contracted with ACL for custom bearings.
It would be pretty nice if the vendor would step up with some photos of bearings being measured or even disclose how they are measuring. Anyone can say they are measuring each shell and do nothing more than split a H and HX set dump it back in a H box and mail it out. The shells had the factory ACL oil on them, no fingerprints either. I doubt these were ever touched.

[HonestA]

Originally Posted by TX

That is very interesting indeed, contracted with ACL for custom bearings.
It would be pretty nice if the vendor would step up with some photos of bearings being measured or even disclose how they are measuring. Anyone can say they are measuring each shell and do nothing more than split a H and HX set dump it back in a H box and mail it out. The shells had the factory ACL oil on them, no fingerprints either. I doubt these were ever touched.

I hope you're wrong about the vendor too but i honestly was thinking the same thing,if he actually does measure them himself. I had my doubts because I've seen where he had done shady business in the past but i also seen alot of people on here vouch for him. I actually personally messaged him and asked him if he does in fact measure them and he responded he does and said, "I’m think about recording a video and posting on the forms during our measurement process.
On a side note, After measuring tons is ACL and BE sets, I’m almost convinced it’s only being done to satisfy ones curiosity. The differences are so marginal that they are not even worth recording. 90-95 percent of the time the same exact clearance is achieved simply by mixing the H and HX set and then install the H on the upper side and HX on the lower side."
I still had my doubts but i really didnt have any other options as BE was back ordered and other places only stocked regular Acl bearings .