Every distributor and automotive brand eventually faces the same challenge: you need a part that isn't available off the shelf. Maybe it's for an older vehicle model no longer in production. Maybe you need a different rubber compound for your climate. Or perhaps you're building your own brand and need components manufactured to your specifications.
At Chilong Bearing Technology, custom manufacturing is at the core of what we do. We transform your drawings or physical samples into production-ready parts — with full engineering support, fast tooling, and quality assurance throughout.
This guide walks through every step so you know exactly what to expect when starting a custom project with us.
1. What We Can Custom Make
Our manufacturing capabilities cover a comprehensive range of shock absorber components:
| Component | Description | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Shock Absorber Bearings | Strut bearings, thrust bearings, spring seat bearings | Steel + plastic/rubber |
| Top Mounts / Strut Mounts | Complete top mount assemblies | Steel + natural/synthetic rubber |
| Dust Covers | Rubber bellows, plastic dust shields, gaiter boots | NR, EPDM, CR, silicone, PE, PP |
| Bump Stops | Micro-cellular urethane, solid rubber, foam bump stops | PU foam, NR, EPDM |
| Bushings | Control arm bushings, shock eye bushings | Steel + rubber, polyurethane |
| Complete Assembly Kits | Bearing + top mount + dust cover + bump stop in one box | Various |
2. From Your Drawing: CAD and Engineering
If you have a technical drawing — whether it's a 2D PDF, 3D CAD file, or even a hand sketch — our engineering team can work with it.
CAD/CAM Capabilities
We accept design files in: SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Pro/E / Creo, STEP (.stp, .step), IGES (.igs), and PDF (with dimensions).
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
Before production begins, our engineers review your design and provide DFM feedback — suggesting optimizations to reduce tooling cost, improve moldability, or enhance part durability without affecting function.
Tolerances and Specifications
We manufacture to automotive-grade tolerances: bearing inner/outer diameters within ±0.01mm, rubber component dimensions within ±0.3mm, and sealing surfaces meeting your specified surface finish.
3. From Your Sample: Reverse Engineering
Don't have a drawing? No problem. Send us your sample part, and we'll reverse engineer it completely.
What Reverse Engineering Includes
- 3D Scanning — High-precision scanning captures the complete geometry
- Dimensional Analysis — Every critical dimension is measured and documented
- Material Identification — Rubber compound analysis, steel grade verification
- Technical Drawing Creation — We produce a CAD drawing for approval before production
Note: All reverse-engineered designs comply with international intellectual property laws. We require documented proof of your right to manufacture.
4. The Custom Manufacturing Process
- Inquiry — Send us your drawing, sample, or OE number with any special requirements.
- Design Review — Engineers review for manufacturability; feedback within 1-2 business days.
- Quotation — Detailed quote including tooling costs, unit price, MOQ, and lead times.
- Tooling — Upon order confirmation, mold/tooling development begins.
- Sample — First samples produced and shipped for evaluation and testing.
- Approval — You approve the sample or request modifications. We iterate until satisfied.
- Mass Production — After sample approval, mass production begins with in-process and final QC.
5. Tooling and Mold Development
Tooling is the foundation of quality custom parts. Our in-house mold shop ensures complete control over this critical phase.
| Tooling Type | Application | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Compression Molds | Rubber dust covers, bump stops | Steel (P20, H13) |
| Transfer/Injection Molds | Precision rubber parts, rubber-to-metal bonding | Steel (H13, 4140) |
| Plastic Injection Molds | Bearing housings, dust shields | Steel (P20, NAK80) |
| Stamping Dies | Metal plates, bracket components | Tool steel (Cr12MoV, SKD11) |
| CNC Fixtures | Precision machining of finished parts | Aluminum, steel |
Cost Sharing and Ownership
We offer flexible tooling cost arrangements. For larger volume commitments, we may share or absorb tooling costs. All molds remain your property once paid for, and we store them with regular maintenance included.
6. Typical Lead Times
| Phase | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Tooling Development | 20-30 days |
| First Sample Production | 7-15 days (after tooling) |
| Sample Modifications | 5-10 days per revision |
| Mass Production (5,000-50,000 pcs) | 20-45 days |
| Mass Production (50,000+ pcs) | 30-60 days |
7. MOQ Flexibility
- First custom orders: As low as 500 pieces per part number
- Repeat orders: MOQ typically 1,000-2,000 pieces
- Sample quantities: 5-20 pieces for evaluation
- Mixed models: Combine different part numbers toward total MOQ
8. Quality Assurance for Custom Orders
PPAP (Production Part Approval Process)
For automotive clients requiring PPAP Level 2 or 3, we provide a complete submission package including design records, dimensional results (FAI report), material certifications, process flow diagram, control plan, MSA/GRR analysis, and initial process capability study (CpK/PpK).
First Article Inspection (FAI)
Every new custom part undergoes a full FAI where ALL dimensions on the drawing are measured and recorded. This report is shared with you for approval before production begins.
IATF 16949 Certified Quality: Our quality management system is certified to IATF 16949, the global automotive quality standard. Your custom parts are manufactured under the same rigorous system used by Tier 1 automotive suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
To provide an accurate quote, we need: a drawing or sample, material specifications (or we can suggest), estimated annual volume, and any special requirements. If you only have a sample part, send it to us and we'll handle the rest.
Rubber compression molds typically take 20-30 days from design approval. Injection molds for complex geometries may take 30-40 days. We provide progress photos during mold-making.
Yes. For rubber parts, we can color-match using industrial-grade pigments. For plastic components, we can match standard RAL or Pantone colors.
For first-time custom orders, our minimum is typically 500 pieces per part number. This allows us to set up and optimize the production process efficiently.
Yes, we store all customer-owned molds and tooling at our facility free of charge. Each mold is cataloged, maintained, and protected for future production runs.
Need Expert Advice? Contact Our Team
Ready to start your custom project? Our engineers will review your drawings or samples within 24 hours.
Contact Us Now
IATF 16949 Certified Automotive Quality Management System