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NRG is a pathetic company. Yes, the wheel-hub company

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Old May 2, 2011 | 02:44 PM
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Default NRG is a pathetic company. Yes, the wheel-hub company

I've had problems with my 1-year old quick release. First the pin fell out so it will not release, nor can I dig-around in there and make it release so it looks like I'll be cutting it off the rod rather than unbolting it.

Here is the great part:
The screws that hold the wheel onto the QR hub all stripped and 3 of the remaining 5 bolts pulled out the threads while I was on track.

I called NRG just now and was really surprised to see how much they don't care. I explained to the guy that I was racing on the track, and the QR Hub essentially started coming apart and he kept saying "you only have 30-days of warranty". I finally asked him after realizing that I was getting nowhere, "Do you care at all that your hub fell apart? Do you have any desire to revisit this design so it doesn't fail again?" His response was a shocking "no".

So I bought another ebay hub from another dumb company until I can afford $400 for a proper Works-Bell hub. I was going to buy another NRG hub because I think the 2.5 design will be fine, but after that bullshit I'm not giving them another cent. I'd pay $400 for a WB hub rather than give them another $150.
Old May 2, 2011 | 02:53 PM
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I bet if you email his name and story to a high level manager there, he'll start to "care"
Old May 2, 2011 | 02:56 PM
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I also asked him if he wanted to offer any kind of a discount to me for another NRG hub. He did not of course and when I told him that I was going to buy something else, he really didn't care. At some point he must realize that his options were:
  • Replace Hustler's hub for free and keep a customer
  • Give Hustledonger a discount so he can keep a customer and still make some money
  • Do nothing, essentially disrespect a customer, never recieve another cent from that customer, and realize that Hustler is going to express NRG's malcontent for customer satisfaction.

This is why I could not make it as a businessman. My logic tells me that he should replace the product for free, because not only did he put the customer out with a bad product, but that it's the right thing to do. A steering wheel hub is not a wear item, and should last forever.

I guess this is the same reason my "made in Chinaland" Craftsman jack doesn't work right, why my $200 chinese Logitech remote doesn't always work, why my computers last <3-years, why my $2000 TV's last <2-years. It's also interesting to note some American made products that stand the test of time like my Absurdflow, Trackspeed, Megasquirt, AST, and 949 parts seem to work without failure.
Old May 2, 2011 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Braineack
I bet if you email his name and story to a high level manager there, he'll start to "care"
It's too late, I already bought another hub and I'm frustrated enough (which isn't much) to refuse anything they'd offer me.
Old May 2, 2011 | 02:59 PM
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http://www.vro.com/quick-release-button-type-p-344.html



$23.14 to be a boss
Old May 2, 2011 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by hustler
It's too late, I already bought another hub and I'm frustrated enough (which isn't much) to refuse anything they'd offer me.

I love that when I called Advance Auto to ask if I could return an alternator core to a different store than where I was to purchase, they offered me an additional 16% discount off the coupon I was going to use for no reason.


If anything, I'd just work on getting the dude fired, just because.
Old May 2, 2011 | 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by hustler
I also asked him if he wanted to offer any kind of a discount to me for another NRG hub. He did not of course and when I told him that I was going to buy something else, he really didn't care. At some point he must realize that his options were:
  • Replace Hustler's hub for free and keep a customer
  • Give Hustledonger a discount so he can keep a customer and still make some money
  • Do nothing, essentially disrespect a customer, never recieve another cent from that customer, and realize that Hustler is going to express NRG's malcontent for customer satisfaction.

This is why I could not make it as a businessman. My logic tells me that he should replace the product for free, because not only did he put the customer out with a bad product, but that it's the right thing to do. A steering wheel hub is not a wear item, and should last forever.

I guess this is the same reason my "made in Chinaland" Craftsman jack doesn't work right, why my $200 chinese Logitech remote doesn't always work, why my computers last <3-years, why my $2000 TV's last <2-years. It's also interesting to note some American made products that stand the test of time like my Absurdflow, Trackspeed, Megasquirt, AST, and 949 parts seem to work without failure.
I was seriously considering picking up a NRG quick release hub in the future. So now because of your bad mouthing them, I will be shopping elsewhere. Good job with the heads up.
Old May 2, 2011 | 03:22 PM
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I've had my NRG for over 2 years now. No problems expect the safety button broke and fell out. I machined one out of stainless and problem solved. I also never used that Chinese garbage they call hardware. I swapped it out for real stainless when I installed it. But coming from R/C cars I can tell you 3mm and smaller hex screws will get torn up unless you use a good quality tool to install them. Hex keys don't cut it.

Hustler, what pin do you speak of that won't let you release it?
Old May 2, 2011 | 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Sokool
I've had my NRG for over 2 years now. No problems expect the safety button broke and fell out. I machined one out of stainless and problem solved. I also never used that Chinese garbage they call hardware. I swapped it out for real stainless when I installed it. But coming from R/C cars I can tell you 3mm and smaller hex screws will get torn up unless you use a good quality tool to install them. Hex keys don't cut it.

Hustler, what pin do you speak of that won't let you release it?
The bolts still have threads...and the hub material that pulled through on the threads. My hub has/had a release pin on the top, which fell out.
Old May 2, 2011 | 03:53 PM
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Is the NRG design so fundamentally different than this one? I can't see how this would fail and not allow the wheel to come off.


I and some other people I know have used this for a long time without failing.


Sokool: what sort of tool should be used for the tiny hex bolts other than a hex key or socket? I've noticed the head gets messed up real easy when (un)installing a couple of times.
Old May 2, 2011 | 04:40 PM
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Works Bell FTW! I don't have a quick release, but the plain hub is still bad ***, and made very well. Which is why it costs so much more than other hubs.
Old May 2, 2011 | 05:04 PM
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Another reason why companies that ripoff valid, working products should die. If you can't even copy something right, why the **** should you be around? Yeah, WB is expensive ****, but I don't mind paying for top notch and SAFE products.

At least the churbochargers seem to outlive their genuine counterparts...
Old May 2, 2011 | 05:14 PM
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I failed and didnt read the thread before posting. Ignore me

... hate when a company gives you a shitty product and could care less tho.

Last edited by 240_to_miata; May 2, 2011 at 08:56 PM.
Old May 2, 2011 | 05:23 PM
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Oh man. Way to kick a customer in the crotch when he's already down. Good for you, NRG. Sorry to hear, hustler.

I've been very pleased with my Works Bell.
Old May 2, 2011 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Oscar
Sokool: what sort of tool should be used for the tiny hex bolts other than a hex key or socket? I've noticed the head gets messed up real easy when (un)installing a couple of times.
There are hundreds of brands but any decent quality "hex driver" branded for hobby use will be sufficient. The bit quality and tolerances are the biggest thing when using a small hex screw multiple times. A key tends to put side force on the screws effectively wallowing out the hole. Not to mention they are made of poor metal and round off very easily.

I personally use EDS Racing drivers. They were given to me as part of a sponsor deal back in the day and I absolutely loved them. But as I said any "good" quality hobby driver found at your local hobby shop will suffice.

http://www.edsracingproductsstore.co...d&productId=13

Watch out once you use one you will want matching screw drivers... LOL
Old May 2, 2011 | 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by hustler
My hub has/had a release pin on the top, which fell out.
You mean the shiny silver one you push down to let the mechanism slide back to release the wheel? If it fell out how is it keep you from removing the wheel?
Old May 2, 2011 | 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by hustler
It's too late, I already bought another hub and I'm frustrated enough (which isn't much) to refuse anything they'd offer me.
That's bullshit, you need to take it to someone that will listen. Could the wheel have come off in your hand on the track, or am I missing something. If yes, then you could have been seriously injured. I'm willing to bet that someone that likes to avoid lawsuits would be interested.
Old May 2, 2011 | 08:28 PM
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http://ltbautosports.com/ltbquicrelsp.html
Only $135. Pretty sure I only paid $99 though...

Anyways, it's lasted about 5 years, no issues to date, and not $400.
Old May 2, 2011 | 10:01 PM
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I don't want the wheel any closer than it has to be, my arms are long.

I'm going to trash the cheap, allen screws and get long grade-8 bolts. Do any of the above examples let the wheel go on 1-way only?

This is the one I have:

That little pin fell out and now it won't come off.
Old May 2, 2011 | 10:05 PM
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this is the one I bought, for now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVE...Q5fAccessories



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