I recently purchased a pair of KYB's SM5027 and SM5028 strut mounts for my GTA. Upon inspection, I noticed that the bearing race on the left one was a reddish color compare to the right's metal color. Furthermore, the left bearing does not spin as easy as the right. I am checking this by placing my index finger in the bearing hole and turning.

Is this normal? Do I have a defective part that I should return for replacement?

Oh!! You got new ones? Definitely return the bad one.

Ed