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Live Axle Bearings
richyo - 22/1/04 at 02:22 PM

I'm trying to get rear bearings for my Mk 2 Escort axle. i know that what I've got is the Timken or Type 'C' or English but I've been offered bearings for a Koln or Salisbury, both the same part number or for a banjo axle.

Can anyone confirm if it is a banjo before I order the wrong kind.

Thanks.

Hornet - 22/1/04 at 04:36 PM

Hi Richyo, I have part numbers for Timken axle stub shaft bearings if you need them...

richyo - 23/1/04 at 08:28 AM

Thanks Hornet

That would help as the motor factor is not being particularly helpful. Something to do with the car being 27 years old

Richyo

Peteff - 23/1/04 at 10:26 AM

You could try a bearing supplier. Take an old bearing or measure one up. They will be a lot cheaper and probably better quality. It works with steering head bearings for bikes.

yours, Pete.

David Jenkins - 23/1/04 at 10:30 AM

Too true - when stuck for a bearing I've taken the old one to a bearing supplier (there are several in Ipswich, in spite of being an industrial wasteland) and got offered a direct replacement off the shelf, industrial quality*, for a fraction of the price.

DJ

* Industrial quality = "if it breaks we lose a fortune, so it had better be good"

andyps - 23/1/04 at 06:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
Too true - when stuck for a bearing I've taken the old one to a bearing supplier (there are several in Ipswich, in spite of being an industrial wasteland) and got offered a direct replacement off the shelf, industrial quality*, for a fraction of the price.

DJ

* Industrial quality = "if it breaks we lose a fortune, so it had better be good"


I can't talk for other bearing manufacturers, but certainly Timken did not make more than one grade of bearing. Any particular part number would be identical whether for automotive, industrial or aftermarket customers - all made on the same lines to the same spec. At least, that was the case 5 years ago when I stopped working for them.

I will check all the part numbers from the catalogues I still have and post them on here - when I can find the catalogue!

David Jenkins - 23/1/04 at 07:33 PM

True - if you have a Timkin part number - but when you go to the supplier and ask for a bearing of a certain size, they'll usually hold several different makes.

DJ

Peteff - 23/1/04 at 09:28 PM

I didn't quote Timken as being a party to this. I have bought replacement head bearings for bikes where the originals contained plastic parts and were replaced with all metal ones, much more reliable and sometimes a third of original equipment cost.

yours, Pete.

andyps - 23/1/04 at 11:28 PM

Bearing part numbers are generally the same across manufacturers for any given size, although there can be variations on prefix/suffix - but these variations can mean other things. Bearing part numbers are a complex issue!! Eleven years working in the industry and I don't think I ever understood them (particularly the imperial tapered roller bearings made by Timken).

The issue of plastic v's metal for the bearing cage is another issue altogether, and doesn't usually affect the bearing life or quality in itself, that comes from other elements of the manufacture/construction.

Bearings from different sources of manufacture do vary considerably in quality due to the quality of steel used and the manufacturing process. Age of the product also plays a big part in the life expectancy.