Timken Bearings
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Timken Bearings
I was doing a search for the rear bearing related to the trailing arms and came across info that stated that some Timken bearing are manufactured in China and some in the USA, did I missunderstand?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 441
Likes: 22
From: Northeast OH
You did not misunderstand. Timken has plants in the USA, India, France, China, Poland, and other places. As far as I can tell the only way to tell where your roller bearings are made is to look at what's stamped on the inside ring.
I have a camper that has one side "Made in Poland" and the other side "Made in China". Other than that they are identical.
I have a camper that has one side "Made in Poland" and the other side "Made in China". Other than that they are identical.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
Timken is a HUGE steel company, the bearings are just part of that company. They make several different styles and sizes of tapered roller bearings. Most if the standard stuff, such as the rear wheel bearings in these Vettes, are USA made. The ISO Class stuff (metric)is made in India.
They've also recently bought Fafnir, and National Seals BTW.
They've also recently bought Fafnir, and National Seals BTW.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Ok then, now that I know this is true, how can I tell where they have been manufactured if I'm purchasing the online? I even called Napa, autozone and told me they have no clue.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
The Timkins I used on my fronts (from Autozone) were made in Poland, the Timkin seals were made in in Taiwan. That was a couple of years ago and so far, no problems, but I only drive the car a couple of thousand miles a year max. I understand some of their bearings are still US made. The box should show the country of origin on it.
No, I wasn't happy when I got mine home and saw that they were not US made. I'm sure they cost Timkin a lot less to outsource them from Poland , or wherever, and a gives them a greater profitability and return for their stockholders. Thats what it is all about.
No, I wasn't happy when I got mine home and saw that they were not US made. I'm sure they cost Timkin a lot less to outsource them from Poland , or wherever, and a gives them a greater profitability and return for their stockholders. Thats what it is all about.
Last edited by stock76; Jun 9, 2009 at 08:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Can't be too much worse than when GM shopped them out back when your car was built. I still read they are the best bearings so until somebody proves with scientific proof they are not, I won't worry about the origin.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 441
Likes: 22
From: Northeast OH
I don't think it has. But I am related to someone fairly high up in the organization whose job it is to make sure all this cost-saving doesn't affect quality so I am probably biased. They have a reputation to live up to or else they will lose sales to other places.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,133
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
I'll offer up my experiences with them. I have used Timkens from various sources, automotive and industrial. There should be no difference, they should be following ISO procedures and produce the same quality anywhere. However, I have had setup issues with the non Timken brands and even with some of the Timkens outsourced. In every case I ended going back to my industrial supplier,paying more but getting USA Timken bearings that setup. I have to say I only attempted a couple using other then the USA made ones so I suspect some if not most should be ok, but I won't try anymore until USA made Timkens are gone. Given the fact more mfg is outsourced everyday that probably won't be long.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
That's no different than chrysler hiring somone to make changes in their company...who just happens to be on the board of a large oil company.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
for what its worth, i installed all new timkens on my vette last year. all USA made. with less then 500 miles on them, i just had one go out today. atleast its a front bearing, so its easy to replace. im just pissed is spent good money on these and its already gone.
looks like timkens got a 1year warranty on them. now i need to figure out how to file a claim. i was wrong, looks like its for only one type of bearing. of course its not for mine.
looks like timkens got a 1year warranty on them. now i need to figure out how to file a claim. i was wrong, looks like its for only one type of bearing. of course its not for mine.
Last edited by another-user; Jun 10, 2009 at 07:24 PM.
