Defective brand new drive shaft?

[alph]

Bought a new driveshaft and upon receiving it I noticed these “chips” in the edges of the teeth.  Only on these two consecutive teeth, the rest of the gears look good.  I’ve asked the company I bought the shaft from if I could return it because I felt uncomfortable putting it in my cycle, and trusting it to last.  They said they had seen this before and never had any complaints about it failing and that they would replace it if I sent it back.

My personal opinion is that this is more evidence of non regulated, zero quality control Chinese production practices.  (but that’s just my opinion).

[Ricky-D]

Yep, I'd send it back.

I don't think the drive shaft is a forged part, it looks more like a cast part that been machined so what that looks like to me is a poor casting job.

***

[RP#62]

Its definitely forged rather than machined.  Poorly forged at that.  I don't think it would affect function, but I'd send it back.
-RP

[alph]

okay, here's a question; what's stronger?  something that's forged, something that's cast, or something that's machined?  i can make a machined shaft at work, we've got the equipment (just don't have the knowledge!!)

[RP#62]

From weakest to strongest  cast, machined, forged.

[Chrisj CMA]

looks usable to me..........but if you can make a clearer picture to email back to whomever sent it to you I think they should replace it if you request

[hubcapsc]

okay, here's a question; what's stronger?  something that's forged, something that's cast, or something that's machined?  i can make a machined shaft at work, we've got the equipment (just don't have the knowledge!!)

Forging can produce a piece that is stronger than an equivalent cast or machined part

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forging

-Mike

[98valk]

Bought a new driveshaft and upon receiving it I noticed these “chips” in the edges of the teeth.  Only on these two consecutive teeth, the rest of the gears look good.  I’ve asked the company I bought the shaft from if I could return it because I felt uncomfortable putting it in my cycle, and trusting it to last.  They said they had seen this before and never had any complaints about it failing and that they would replace it if I sent it back.

My personal opinion is that this is more evidence of non regulated, zero quality control Chinese production practices.  (but that’s just my opinion).

that is normal and how they are made. Looks just like the original from my bike.

[hmt81]

I work in the automotive parts field and have for 25+ yrs. Off-shore, low cost product has flooded the Automotive Aftermarket over the last several years. Many quality remanufacturers have gone under due to the low price of off shore "New" products. Everyone thinks that because it's new, it's better. This perception is not the case in many situations, as I have seen many quailty issues with offshore, especially Chinese. I have seen poor heat treatment, and bad splines on new CV shafts, mis-boxed product and countless other concerns. The offshore stuff looks like a good copy most of the time, but you don't always get the fit, function & life out of those products. When you look closely, you can see the differences.  Remanufacturing is "Green", it recycles, keeps jobs here in the US and is a low cost choice. It is the Walmart mentality at work. Cheap, cheap cheap. Anyone who wants to read about this on the automotive side may do so at the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association. It is an attempt to get everyone aware to "know your parts". Thought it tied in with this thread.

http://aftermarketsuppliers.com/

then click on the Know Your Parts Campaign

[alph]

I work in the automotive parts field and have for 25+ yrs. Off-shore, low cost product has flooded the Automotive Aftermarket over the last several years. Many quality remanufacturers have gone under due to the low price of off shore "New" products. Everyone thinks that because it's new, it's better. This perception is not the case in many situations, as I have seen many quailty issues with offshore, especially Chinese. I have seen poor heat treatment, and bad splines on new CV shafts, mis-boxed product and countless other concerns. The offshore stuff looks like a good copy most of the time, but you don't always get the fit, function & life out of those products. When you look closely, you can see the differences.  Remanufacturing is "Green", it recycles, keeps jobs here in the US and is a low cost choice. It is the Walmart mentality at work. Cheap, cheap cheap. Anyone who wants to read about this on the automotive side may do so at the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association. It is an attempt to get everyone aware to "know your parts". Thought it tied in with this thread.

http://aftermarketsuppliers.com/

then click on the Know Your Parts Campaign

Buddy, I agree with you whole heartedly!!  This last week I needed to buy some new work boots, steel toe with electrical hazard.  I’ve ALWAYS bought American made work boot, for two main reasons, one, my boss is paying me $100 to buy them so spending the extra money doesn’t hurt as bad, and two, THEY LAST THREE TIMES LONGER!!!  I’ve got four pair of steel toe work boots, three are Red Wings, and the other is Mason.  Mason shoes use to be made right here in Chippewa Falls WI.  Well Mason closed the factory about ten years ago, leaving about 1200 people out of jobs.  This last week I find out that Red Wings are now made in china also!!  Pissed me off royally!!  I was so mad at Red Wing, I said screw ‘em, if I’ve got to buy china boots, I might as well just buy the cheap crap, so I did.  As for wal-mart, I hate that store because they put quantity over quality.  Screw the people that want quality. 

My brother in law works for a major home improvement store.  His company sells cheap, harbor freight type tools.  Stuff I WILL NOT BUY!  Same as sears craftsman, made in china, cheaply.  Sure it has a life time warranty, but they’re betting on the fact that you won’t return it, ‘cause it’s cheaper to just buy a new one.  I work electrical maintenance, so when I tool breaks, I’ve got to borrow someone else’s, and real men don’t lone out tools, unless they don’t want it back!! 

What we ALL need to do is DEMAND QUALITY again!!  Return it if it doesn’t last, make them lose money by selling cheap quality!!  Lets take back our country one purchase at a time!!!

Al.

[eric in md]

I work in the automotive parts field and have for 25+ yrs. Off-shore, low cost product has flooded the Automotive Aftermarket over the last several years. Many quality remanufacturers have gone under due to the low price of off shore "New" products. Everyone thinks that because it's new, it's better. This perception is not the case in many situations, as I have seen many quailty issues with offshore, especially Chinese. I have seen poor heat treatment, and bad splines on new CV shafts, mis-boxed product and countless other concerns. The offshore stuff looks like a good copy most of the time, but you don't always get the fit, function & life out of those products. When you look closely, you can see the differences.  Remanufacturing is "Green", it recycles, keeps jobs here in the US and is a low cost choice. It is the Walmart mentality at work. Cheap, cheap cheap. Anyone who wants to read about this on the automotive side may do so at the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association. It is an attempt to get everyone aware to "know your parts". Thought it tied in with this thread.

http://aftermarketsuppliers.com/

then click on the Know Your Parts Campaign

Buddy, I agree with you whole heartedly!!  This last week I needed to buy some new work boots, steel toe with electrical hazard.  I’ve ALWAYS bought American made work boot, for two main reasons, one, my boss is paying me $100 to buy them so spending the extra money doesn’t hurt as bad, and two, THEY LAST THREE TIMES LONGER!!!  I’ve got four pair of steel toe work boots, three are Red Wings, and the other is Mason.  Mason shoes use to be made right here in Chippewa Falls WI.  Well Mason closed the factory about ten years ago, leaving about 1200 people out of jobs.  This last week I find out that Red Wings are now made in china also!!  Pissed me off royally!!  I was so mad at Red Wing, I said screw ‘em, if I’ve got to buy china boots, I might as well just buy the cheap crap, so I did.  As for wal-mart, I hate that store because they put quantity over quality.  Screw the people that want quality. 

My brother in law works for a major home improvement store.  His company sells cheap, harbor freight type tools.  Stuff I WILL NOT BUY!  Same as sears craftsman, made in china, cheaply.  Sure it has a life time warranty, but they’re betting on the fact that you won’t return it, ‘cause it’s cheaper to just buy a new one.  I work electrical maintenance, so when I tool breaks, I’ve got to borrow someone else’s, and real men don’t lone out tools, unless they don’t want it back!! 

What we ALL need to do is DEMAND QUALITY again!!  Return it if it doesn’t last, make them lose money by selling cheap quality!!  Lets take back our country one purchase at a time!!!

Al.     yep just what you said ... +++++1

[Skinhead]

Bought a new driveshaft and upon receiving it I noticed these “chips” in the edges of the teeth.  Only on these two consecutive teeth, the rest of the gears look good.  I’ve asked the company I bought the shaft from if I could return it because I felt uncomfortable putting it in my cycle, and trusting it to last.  They said they had seen this before and never had any complaints about it failing and that they would replace it if I sent it back.

My personal opinion is that this is more evidence of non regulated, zero quality control Chinese production practices.  (but that’s just my opinion).

that is normal and how they are made. Looks just like the original from my bike.

I just pulled the rear end off my 99 IS that I bought in May this year.  The drive shaft looks exactly like the one in the pictures above.  Just saying, nothing wrong with it.