I'm doubting anyone could prove one bearing company is better than another...
CK5
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Wheel Bearing Preference?
- Thread starter Chief Brody
- Start date
mwood1985
1/2 ton status
yea I think at this point with our style wheel bearings its more of proper maintenance that makes them last. I regrease mine more than most because I spend a lot of time in muddy fields, but say every 8-10k repack and adjust the tightness and they should last a good while
TheBeast_88K5
Banned
Okay.... So I should have specified.
WEST COAST DIFF'S HAS USA MADE (OLD STOCK) TIMKENS...
WEST COAST DIFF'S HAS USA MADE (OLD STOCK) TIMKENS...
some things, I think "USA made" matters.. bearings I don't think it does.. they are all made within certain specs with specified material ratings....
like I said in another thread, US made bearings got nothing on german and swiss bearings...
like I said in another thread, US made bearings got nothing on german and swiss bearings...
So I went with SKF...the inners were made in Japan and the outers made in Mexico.
It sure rides smoother and quieter now...I think they were going bad when I had the new slightly taller / wider tires put on. I think the extra stress killed them.
Either that or the 177,000 miles I put on them...not sure which
It sure rides smoother and quieter now...I think they were going bad when I had the new slightly taller / wider tires put on. I think the extra stress killed them.
Either that or the 177,000 miles I put on them...not sure which
TheBeast_88K5
Banned
That's a crap ton of miles!
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
I've used Timken national and sk and haven't had trouble with any of them but I try and get Timken if that's a option. Most of the bearings have tolerancy ratings tight enough that you shouldn't have a problem with any of those three though. The cheapie Chinese ones if be afraid of. As with anything proper maintainance will tell you if there is a problem with the bearings.
Bah. It doesn't matter one bit what brand bearing you buy. Any of the brands sold at any of the big auto parts stores will work just as good as any other brand. They all have to be made to the same standards anyways. About the only reason to buy one brand over the other, is if the "Made In The USA" thing matters to you. Otherwise, buy whatever your autoparts store has in stock. Stubbornly holding out for a certain brand, when your store doesn't have that brand, and DOES have the other, is RETAAAARDED.
Why spend more money on something you're gonna replace when a axle shaft or drive shaft lets go anyways? How many of us REALLY keep a truck, or can leave well enough alone long enough to actually wear out a bearing? In all my years, I've never worn out a NEW bearing, that I replaced, due to old age. It's always been ****ed up by me doing something stupid or breaking something else. As many bearings as I buy, seems silly to waste money on expensive ****.
Why spend more money on something you're gonna replace when a axle shaft or drive shaft lets go anyways? How many of us REALLY keep a truck, or can leave well enough alone long enough to actually wear out a bearing? In all my years, I've never worn out a NEW bearing, that I replaced, due to old age. It's always been ****ed up by me doing something stupid or breaking something else. As many bearings as I buy, seems silly to waste money on expensive ****.
This begs a question: Why are their "grades" at the parts stores. There is the standard bearing at say 6.99, a "better" bearing at 10.99, and then "the good stuff" that is over $20 a bearing.
Then they offer one seal and that seal costs more than the bearings.
My seal was a Timken stamped Made in USA and it was $14.
Thant's more than the highest bearing cost.
Then they offer one seal and that seal costs more than the bearings.
My seal was a Timken stamped Made in USA and it was $14.
Thant's more than the highest bearing cost.
TheBeast_88K5
Banned
Nah, jethro... I have to disagree.
I've used EVERYONE'S bearings.
Only USA Timken's would hold up to my abuse.
I don't get where you get away with saying it don't matter.
If I grab a USA Timken, and a WHITE BOX BEARING.... Those mofos are DIFFERENT.
The quality, the tolerances, the WAY IT WAS STORED/SHIPPED.
Its all different.
For that matter.... Cram an out of spec bearing race in its bore.
Then, try to replace it with quality... The race will spin.
I've watched it happen.
I'm by no means a "USA only" guy....
I'm just speaking from experience.
Lots of wheel bearing experience.
I've used EVERYONE'S bearings.
Only USA Timken's would hold up to my abuse.
I don't get where you get away with saying it don't matter.
If I grab a USA Timken, and a WHITE BOX BEARING.... Those mofos are DIFFERENT.
The quality, the tolerances, the WAY IT WAS STORED/SHIPPED.
Its all different.
For that matter.... Cram an out of spec bearing race in its bore.
Then, try to replace it with quality... The race will spin.
I've watched it happen.
I'm by no means a "USA only" guy....
I'm just speaking from experience.
Lots of wheel bearing experience.
