When to replace wheel bearings. - Page 2

Tx2619Dallas · 06-30-2021, 06:29 PM

good to know. How about national bearing? I'm guessing they all send work out to lower the cost/raise profit.

I have read other places that the Chinese do make bearings that equal German quality, but you pay the German price.

Still need to find the part numbers... anyone?

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-02-2021, 07:05 AM

I used Timken SET17 (L68149 / L68111) and SET4 (L44649 / L44610). As Shane mentioned, I’m not sure they’re still made domestically. If they aren’t, that may or may not make a difference, though I still suspect they’d be better than what Dexter puts in their hubs.

Dave

**rtcassel** · 07-03-2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito

I used Timken SET17 (L68149 / L68111) and SET4 (L44649 / L44610). As Shane mentioned, I’m not sure they’re still made domestically. If they aren’t, that may or may not make a difference, though I still suspect they’d be better than what Dexter puts in their hubs.

Dave

I recently bought Timken sets 4 and 17 from Rock Auto. Their price was good and the bearings were stamped USA. The pictures on the web site also show USA.

**Bill** · 07-03-2021, 07:18 PM

Just as a reminder -

I think the bearing part numbers in this thread are for the 3500-pound axle that the TM Tennessee factory used forever.

The new TM factory (South Dakota) now builds TMs with a 5200 pound axle.

I would expect the bearings to be different.

Bill

Shane826 · 07-03-2021, 08:34 PM

They are also using Lippert axles instead of Dexter.

**Bill** · 07-04-2021, 09:34 AM

Actually, I think a division of Lippert bought the division of Dexter that makes axles. Now they make the same axles, but sometimes they slap a Lippert label on them.

Bill

Shane826 · 07-04-2021, 10:05 AM

I think you’re right.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-05-2021, 10:58 AM

Also, just to note that a product being stamped something to effect of "Timken USA" does not necessarily mean it was made in the U.S. But, country of manufacture has to be marked on either the product or the packaging. Amazon's listing for SET17 does indeed indicate China, while the product picture shows that "USA" appears on the product (but not "made in USA"). Would love to hear confirmation one way or another whenever someone gets a set.

Dave

**rtcassel** · 07-05-2021, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito

Also, just to note that a product being stamped something to effect of "Timken USA" does not necessarily mean it was made in the U.S. But, country of manufacture has to be marked on either the product or the packaging. Amazon's listing for SET17 does indeed indicate China, while the product picture shows that "USA" appears on the product (but not "made in USA"). Would love to hear confirmation one way or another whenever someone gets a set.

Dave

FWIW, The Timken sets 4 and 17 that I received from rockauto.com looked like the pictures on Rock Auto and Amazon, that is stamped "USA", not "Made in USA". The boxes they came in were "Printed in USA". There is nothing about the country of manufacture on the boxes. The bearings I replaced were stamped "CHINA".

**ShrimpBurrito** · 07-05-2021, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtcassel

FWIW, The Timken sets 4 and 17 that I received from rockauto.com looked like the pictures on Rock Auto and Amazon, that is stamped "USA", not "Made in USA". The boxes they came in were "Printed in USA". There is nothing about the country of manufacture on the boxes. The bearings I replaced were stamped "CHINA".

Sounds encouraging, Tim, thanks for sharing.

Dave