"INA" M103 fan bearing bracket failed within 30 minutes- Possible fake?

[w123fanman]

I had to pull the engine I just put into my 190E because it was seeming to have some head problems and had another M103 ready to go (just had head gasket put on it, everything resealed and new chain guides) that was supposed to go into my mom's car. I started swapping over accessories and discovered the bearing in the fan bracket had already slung its grease and when spun sounded like a dry bearing. It was supposedly an INA bracket, I bought it about a year and a half ago from a competitor site, so it's possible it wasn't a genuine INA part (it did not have any markings on the bearing) but I wouldn't think they would sell me a fake part, at least knowingly. Unfortunately, the warranty is up but I'm still going to contact them to see if I can get any recourse.



I would link it but I know it would be removed, another competitor site that's famous for lifetime warranties has a picture of the backside of an INA bracket and it has both markings on the bearing and in the casting so that's more evidence to say maybe my part isn't genuine INA.