NHTSA Complaint #10230328 — 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

ON 5/15/2008 I PURCHASED A WHEEL BEARING FROM ADVANCED AUTO PARTS FOR MY 2000' PONTIAC GRAND PRIX PART # NT513121AND INSTALLED IT THE SAME DAY AS PER SPECIFICATIONS. ON 5/31/2008 MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK WHEN HE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE FRONT WHEEL HAD SUDDENLY FELL OFF THE CAR. SOMEONE SUMMONED THE POLICE AND A TOW TRUCK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND I FOUND THAT ALL 5 STUDS HAD BROKEN OFF OF THE BEARING HUB. ON 6/1/2008 I PURCHASED A NEW BEARING (BETTER QUALITY). AT THAT TIME I DID NOT RETURN THE DEFECTIVE BEARING. I RETURNED HOME AND INSTALLED THE NEW BEARING. ON 6/2/2008 WHEN I RETURNED TO WORK I HAD A ROCKWELL HARDNESS TEST DONE ON THE ONLY REMAINING STUD. WE FOUND IT ONLY HAD RC OF 22. BY THE STAMPING ON THE STUD (10.9 METRIC) WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO GRADE 8 OR 33 TO 44 R.C. THIS WAS A GRADE 3 CASE HARDENED STUD WHICH SHOWED A TENSION BREAK. I THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER NTP BEARING (1800-322-8983) AND TOLD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. WHAT HAD HAPPENED. HE TOLD ME TO RETURN THE BEARING WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND INCLUDE MY NAME, ADDRESS AND WHERE I COULD BE CONTACTED FOR ANY CLAIM. THE REASON I AM REPORTING THIS IS IF THERE ARE MORE BEARINGS ON THE MARKET WITH THIS DEFECT IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC IF THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF NTP FOLLOWS UP. *TR