Timken wheel bearings

[GCinSC2]

Might want to look at www.timken.com they have a lot of info and a find a distributor. Got a bearings inc. distributor nearby?

[dbj216]

I spent my career working in factories, especially hydraulics and transmissions. We used a lot of tapered roller bearings. I was always impressed with Timken and their manufacturing strengths. That said, now days most manufacturing organizations have strict process controls and many other systems to help quality assurance. Timken is one of the best, and they have many factories. I'll bet each and every factory is strictly controlled, weather in Ohio or Shezwan. A Timken bearing that said "made in China" would not concern me a bit. Same with the Japanese bearings brands. The second tier bearings I might be more concerned with.

I know all the trouble with Goodyear Marathon trailer tires. I darn well bet people were held accountable for allowing that to happen whatever the cause. It hurt Goodyear badly. Same with the Ford 6.0 diesel debacle. Something failed in their reliability testing.

Trailer bearings are a commodity item. I have never had one fail on me. I service them yearly. Many folks make trailer bearings. Select a tier one supplier and you will be fine. Timken, NTN, SKF and the others mentioned are good.

David

[switz]

We recently (March 2016) ordered four of the complete Timken bearing sets (both #4 and #17) and ten seals (#441151) for the 10" brakes system used on the 23D and sold on Amazon. They had "Made in USA" on the boxes. The extra seals were is case of installation errors or future service.

[Ampman]

I use Inland Truck parts. They have many locations but are not everywhere. The salesman at the Austin, Tx location told me they were only sourcing the USA made Timkens. When my order came in that's exactly what I got. I'm sure other brands are ok but I will still pay more and go to the trouble to get stuff made in USA. It's the principal of it all to me. I like to think I'm supporting a hard working American keep their job. Maybe they will do the same for my kids one day.

[crispyboy]

I'm not too warm and fuzzy for the SKF brand of bearing. Last fall I had to put unit bearings on the front of our 2002 Grand Cherokee. The SKF bearings were manufactured in Czechoslovakia and one of them did not last 100 miles before it was howling.......

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by crispyboy

I'm not too warm and fuzzy for the SKF brand of bearing. Last fall I had to put unit bearings on the front of our 2002 Grand Cherokee. The SKF bearings were manufactured in Czechoslovakia and one of them did not last 100 miles before it was howling.......

I think SFK is what I found in my Safari while greasing the bearings this week. I was surprised to see Slovakia printed on them, though I could not read all of the letters and numbers. I think these were the original bearings that came with that trailer. They still look good enough that I re-installed them.
I've never had a bearing failure in any of the Airstreams, or any other trailer, that I have owned.

A question to those of you who maintain multiple trailers as your profession:
How long should axle bearings last if well maintained? (20-30 years? 50,000-100,000 miles? As long as the axels lasts?)

[Action]

The life of the axle IF the roller bearing is well maintained.

Non-servicable bearings in car have gone 200,000+ miles. It is the servicing or maintence that is the issue. Either lacking in maintence, or improper installation or getting debris in with the bearing during serving.


>>>>>>>>>Action

[britta315]

I'm looking to do my first bearing service on our 31' 1981 Excella II (dual axel), and having a hell of a time figuring out which seals, bearings, and grease to get (we want the top of the line for it all).

Can anyone point me in the right direction here?

Thanks!

[AtomicNo13]

Quick packing tip....
If you own a food vacuum sealer you can fill the center if the bearing with grease, put it in a sealer bag then suck out the air.
The grease is drawn into the bearing for s perfect oack every time. Leave a few unopened bearings in the sealer bags... Ready for use on the road should you need one. You never touch the grease!

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

Quick packing tip....
If you own a food vacuum sealer you can fill the center if the bearing with grease, put it in a sealer bag then suck out the air.
The grease is drawn into the bearing for s perfect oack every time. Leave a few unopened bearings in the sealer bags... Ready for use on the road should you need one. You never touch the grease!

That is a great tip! Just wish I had a vacuum sealer!

[AtomicNo13]

Harbor freight to the rescue!

[dbj216]

Hi britta 315. Tapered roller bearings are built to an industry standard. The configuration of the bearings is identified by a universal part number. These part numbers are typically stamped on the ends of the bearing somewhere. Sometimes it takes a magnifier to see it.

Your trailer most likely has 12" drum brakes. When you do the bearing service, the drum is coming off. Then you will have the bearings in hand except for the cups that are pressed into the drum. The cups can be removed by had but it is a bit tricky.

Me, I found it easier to load up my 4 greasy drums with the bearings in a sack and take them to your local trailer supply place. They can more easily use their press to remove the cups in the drum. They most likely have replacement bearings in stock. Timken is a very good manufacturer. Tell the shop you want Timken or equivalent. I'm guessing it will be about $200 a drum for new bearings.

Your old bearings may be perfectly good and just need new grease. That is a cheaper option.

David

[PaulnGina]

Originally Posted by dbj216

....... I'm guessing it will be about $200 a drum for new bearings.

Your old bearings may be perfectly good and just need new grease. That is a cheaper option.

David

Did you really mean $200?

I ordered 5 sets of Timken bearings and races from RockAuto, and a race tool, for $135.... made in USA.

http://www.aviontrailers.net/post1186.html#p1186

[dbj216]

Well, I was guessing. I should have looked up the prices for two bearing sets per wheel times 4.

David

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by switz

We replaced the damaged bearing set with Timken Set 4 and Set 17 bearing sets and the Timken 442251 seal. We also repacked the other three OEM bearings.

Switz, when I order up the Set 4 and Set 17 Timken bearings on Amazon, their "buy along with it' feature suggests including 473336 seals. They seem to be virtually the same to me as 442251. Just curious. A different post of yours, and Ronnie suggested 441151 but those don't come up as an option. Maybe they changed numbers.

Also interesting is that either seal is about 9 bucks each on Amazon, but on Carid.com they are less than half that price! I wonder if the Amazon ones are US made and Carid are China or elsewhere, even though still Timken? I've asked Timken for info via email. But would welcome your thoughts.

I'm making my bearing check/repacking way more complicated than I need to.

[switz]

From my notes:

Installed auto adjusting drum brake upgrade and four sets of Timken bearings (#4 and #17 bearing sets and #441151 seals) built a larger spare tire carrier

Those part numbers had "Made in the USA" on them.
Amazon then (May 2016) prices each
Timken SET 4 Bearing Set $5.79
Timken SET 17 Bearing Set $5.91
Timken 442251 Seal $8.83

[switz]

I forgot to mention that these parts were for the stock 10" Brake drums and axles of the 2015 model year (built in September 2014). We did up grade to 15" Michelin tires and SenDel wheels that had the five lug bolt pattern.

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by switz

Timken SET 4 Bearing Set $5.79
Timken SET 17 Bearing Set $5.91
Timken 442251 Seal $8.83

Thank you for checking. I'm going with this.