Happy New Year Roadie!
Sorry to hear of the poor performance of the bearings for you. Mine is a daily driver so no agrressive off roading to be sure! So far so good? I, much like yourself, like to keep my biz local when appropriate and buy AMERICAN PRODUCTS. But I certainly would not purchase inferior quality just because it was made in the USA. I like to buy my own parts, sometimes based on the recommendations I get here...other times my own research. I then either install myself (with lots of your help!)....or go to my local mechanic who has proven himself to be HONEST. Thus my strong preference.
On the bright side....given the AWESOME and WELL DOCUMENTED instructions I always get from you/GMT Nation. If mine do eventually break down...I now have the knowledge to address it!
This from the guy who had never even changed his own oil until stumbling upon this site some years ago. I have now done trans flush (with protocol here), coolant flush, brakes (F and R), plugs, O2 sensors, TCCM swap, etc.
Yet my wife still thinks I am going to ultimately destroy this thing by trying to repair it! So far...so good. She has known me for a while and she realizes I have had far more formal training in my life on how to destroy things; moreso than fix anything?
Carry on.