Timken Wheel Bearing

[lhopp77]

Has anyone ever installed the Timken wheel bearings? If so, how do they compare with OEM or Federal Mogul? They are cheaper at least, but are they as good or better?

Lee

[Beav]

I've installed them and so far haven't heard any complaints. Get the seals from Subaru though, the aftermarket catalogs are wrong and they won't fit.

[lhopp77]

Thanks for the response. If you had a choice which would you prefer--OEM, Timken or Federal-Mogul? I am just full of questions.

[Beav]

$$ works for me - they are all respected manufacturers.

I need to change my rear bearings is there anything special that i need other than the bearings? I am totally clueless when it comes to cars, but i've got a mechanic who told me to get everything.

[Beav]

Uhh... if he's a mechanic shouldn't he be telling you what you need?

[WGJ]

I asked some time ago if anyone knew where race bearings might be found and got no response.
Where can I look at the Timken bearings?
During my inquiries someone posted the opinion OEM's were the best.
Can't say from personal experience as I haven't been able to get my bearings properly installed yet. A supposedly professional, state licensed repair facility has managed to screw it up twice. Both new sets were making noise in only a few thousand miles. The first time Moe forgot to repack in high temp grease. Second time, the dreaded impact wrench install...both times Larry, Moe and Curly failed to FOLLOW THE FRIGGIN' FACTORY INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS! (When all else fails...). Regardless of which bearings you go with, be sure you're familiar with the procedure, so if you have it done you can make sure the factory procedure is followed. It's pretty critical. DON'T ASSUME YOUR MECHANIC KNOWS...get the Subaru install instructions and give a copy to your wrench. His feelings won't be hurt and they'll be far less pain to yer wallet.
WGJ

[lhopp77]

Autozone lists the Timken bearing part number 516003 for the rear at $51.99. I checked a store in Albuquerque NM and they showed it in stock. Apparently all big stores might have it on hand. As noted by someone else above the Seals listed do not fit correctly.

Lee

[Myetball]

Originally Posted by lhopp77

Autozone lists the Timken bearing part number 516003 for the rear at $51.99. I checked a store in Albuquerque NM and they showed it in stock. Apparently all big stores might have it on hand. As noted by someone else above the Seals listed do not fit correctly.

Lee

Check out subaruparts.com, rear bearings are only $59.45 each.

[lhopp77]

I think the Timken at Autozone for $51.99 is a better deal--don't you?

Lee

[SVX_MY_BABY]

The Federal Mogul seals are listed at half the price of OEM. Any problems with them?

[lhopp77]

I am only a backyard mechanic and not really qualified to report on quality comparisons. But, as Beav notes above---Timken and Federal Mogul are reputable companies so "money talks".

At what price did you find them and from what company or is it just a local company?

Lee

[Beav]

Originally Posted by SVX_MY_BABY

The Federal Mogul seals are listed at half the price of OEM. Any problems with them?

Yeah, like I said, they are cataloged incorrectly and won't fit.

[lhopp77]

I did not read his post correctly. I missed the "seals" part and answered it like he said "bearing". Half price would have been great on the Federal Mogul "bearing" as I pay $62.42 for the OEM bearing and $7.06 and $8.56 for the seals.

Keeping me straight----Beav.

Lee

[WGJ]

How about posting the important stuff, like a link, the location or parts source, (like Autozone), the parts numbers for the bearings and the seals, and of course, the prices. This is why we need a Network Encyclopedia. All a newby need do is go to 'bearings" and under 'rear wheel' would find this info. We'd be able to go in and update whenever we need to. Say when we find something of general interest like a preferred brand of all weather tires on sale, anyone could just edit the info into the proper place in the Encyclopedia. Make sense?
WGJ