ChaosPhoenixFix

So, gonna go pick up some new wheel bearings for the '79 tonight and hopefully put them in this weekend. Closest auto parts store is Auto Zone. They only have Duralast or Timken wheel bearings. I notice the Duralast bearings are much cheaper. Has anyone used either brand? I just want to make sure I am not putting junk on my car, and I always seem to question Auto Zone.

tak82

Have no idea on Duralast but I use Timken if I can get them

jim-81

If I had the choice for MY Corvette, it would be Timken every time. American company very well respected and very good product.
Jim

qwank

Duralast have a good warranty, but if you want to only do the job once, get Timken

929nitro

ChaosPhoenixFix

Sounds like the Timken bearings are the way to go. Sounds good. Hope to have them and the trans pan filter and gasket done by this weekend, so I can drive it to work monday and make everyone on base jellous

Mashman

I worked on a project at Timken back in the 90's, in Canton OH. My boss took me around and showed me what they did. They forged their own steel to insure that it was high enough quality for their bearings.

bobs77vet

i have been impressed with every duralast part i have purchased

orourke

Timken was all that we used when we changed tires on our Gulfstream III's. Got to be good enough for a Corvette.

80Baby

I worked in heavy industry for 26 years. Massive turbine rotors weighing 20t that spin at over 4500 rpm... all use Timkins. Again, gotta be good enough for a Corvette.

7T1vette

Timkin. DuraJunk is just that....junk.

Great warranty on DuraJunk???? Sure.... If you get a piece of junk from them and have a problem, you can take it back----
and get another one JUST LIKE IT!!!

hotrodnick

Timken are the best, although I needed bearing for my 79, I recognized the bearing number on the bearing ( if you look on the side of the bearing there is a number that is a standard identifier) used my cross reference and found I had one on the shelf. I know if John Deere specs it they are quality bearings even if they are imports.

carcruse

Duralast is Auto Zone's "house" brand. Not sure who makes them for Auto Zone, might be Bearing Tech or Fenwick according to one source.

briankeery

Wise words spoken from a guy who does this for a living........I know my answer.

vettefred

In the parts houses cheap = China. Go with Timken. Good American company.


Fred

LS4 PILOT

I just reloaded my 74 with Timken".. Brand.

USA steel

They are top of the line and like 4 times as much as Chinese junk .

I think Timkin was OEM .....mine looked original .

BB hard on stuff.

Spend the extra and order them ...I have heard failure stories with Chinese bearings.

68/70Vette

If I wanted a quality auto part, the last place I would go is Auto X Zone, O'Reillye's, Pep Boys, etc. The emphasis of these stores is to sell parts to keep people's derelict, daily drivers going. They sell cheap parts to match the demand of this clientele.

Timken is the standard brand for quality...unfortunately, Timken is not now a US only brand. I think some Timken bearings are made in Poland and Romania (?). One source for the parts origination enigma, is to contact Tom's Differentials. Tom's specializes in custom made high strength C3 parts that exceed factory specifications, he identifies the origin of his parts, and distributes his parts to the Corvette forum sponsors who specialize in rebuilding Corvette C3 suspensions. If you want to specify US parts, I'd think that forum rebuilders will work this issue with you. Repeat...everything from Tom's is US made and manufactured and if it's not, that will be clearly stated. Tom's rear end IRS parts, stronger than OEM parts, require expertise installs; i.e. his super 10 bolt and 12 bolt rear ends require an experienced machinist.

loup68

Guess what brand of roller bearings are used on train locomotives and rail cars...Timken. Lou.

Indiancreek

I agree, used them for years without issues.

68/70Vette

When the bearings could be bought from GM Parts, the bearings came in AC Delco labeled boxes. For many years later, if you bought NOS, they came with AC Delco branding. My understanding is that they were nevertheless made in the US by Timken.