Timken bearings good?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Cotati CA
Timken bearings good?
Although I've searched, I can't find any threads that address this. I need to replace the rear hub assy. on my '89 and am considering Timkens. What do you think about their quality?
Thanks,
Vance
Thanks,
Vance
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Timken is one of the oldest names in bearings. Automotive, industrial, etc. I've used them in nearly every type of vehicle application over the years, cars, trucks and heavy equipment. Top quality.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
Timken is one of the oldest names in bearings. Automotive, industrial, etc. I've used them in nearly every type of vehicle application over the years, cars, trucks and heavy equipment. Top quality.
But! Timken used to only make and sell tapered roller bearings. Like most cars have used for wheel bearings until the C4. Our wheel bearings are an annular contact ball bearing. Do you happen to know if Timken bought out a ball bearing company?
The last time I replaced a rear wheel bearing, I took it a part and measured it up to see if it couldn't be machined for Timken (tapered rollers) bearings. I couldn't figure a way from my spec books. Our wheel bearings are what *I* call a "bicycle bearing". They're the same style as the wheel or crank hanger bearing in a bicycle. Similar to the front wheel bearings in a '55 Chevy. Any insight, anyone?
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 7,805
Likes: 0
From: If you read this, you'll go blind
I just got some all the way around. I got a thread about it here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1015275
I just picked them up this morning. It cost me $775 for all four. Note that at Autozone, they are probably special order so they'll make you pay shipping. Not a big deal, but I would have just have had them sent to my house if I'd known that.
Their website claims some Nascar teams use them. Can't be all that bad.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1015275
I just picked them up this morning. It cost me $775 for all four. Note that at Autozone, they are probably special order so they'll make you pay shipping. Not a big deal, but I would have just have had them sent to my house if I'd known that.
Their website claims some Nascar teams use them. Can't be all that bad.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by NeedSpeed
Their website claims some Nascar teams use them. Can't be all that bad.
RACE ON!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 129
From: NOVA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
NASCAR cars use tapered roller bearings, not the "bicycle" bearings our cars are equipped with. Timken is THE name in tapered rollers. Too bad we can use them (tapered rollers) on our cars.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
But! Timken used to only make and sell tapered roller bearings. Like most cars have used for wheel bearings until the C4. Our wheel bearings are an annular contact ball bearing. Do you happen to know if Timken bought out a ball bearing company?
The last time I replaced a rear wheel bearing, I took it a part and measured it up to see if it couldn't be machined for Timken (tapered rollers) bearings. I couldn't figure a way from my spec books. Our wheel bearings are what *I* call a "bicycle bearing". They're the same style as the wheel or crank hanger bearing in a bicycle. Similar to the front wheel bearings in a '55 Chevy. Any insight, anyone?
RACE ON!!!
I have a cousin who's retired from Timken, I'll have to ask him about that and if they're doing any out-sourcing, etc.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by XFIRED
Why can't we use them, what is the difference? Sorry for the dumb question.
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
The last time I replaced a rear wheel bearing, I took it a part and measured it up to see if it couldn't be machined for Timken (tapered rollers) bearings. I couldn't figure a way from my spec books.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
Oh you just have to complicate everything, don't you? I have a cousin who's retired from Timken, I'll have to ask him about that and if they're doing any out-sourcing, etc.
I have a cousin who's retired from Timken, I'll have to ask him about that and if they're doing any out-sourcing, etc.RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Cotati CA
Originally Posted by 85blkrose
timken are real quality pieces we do all our rebulids with them at work. 6" dia. shafts turning 30,000 prm you need a good bearing and there what we use
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 338
Likes: 49
From: Quincy,Illinois
I need some info on this subject as well, the rears on my 85 are getting a little loose. Can I take the hubs apart and just put new bearings in without buying the whole hub assy. Are new grease seals available? Is there a pre-load adjustment that can be tightened?
