Timken wheel bearings

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Ozdriver, Dec 31, 2016.

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  1. Dec 31, 2016 #1
    Ozdriver

    Ozdriver Heavy Load Member

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    I'm no stranger to replacing wheel bearings, but just like to get some opinions.
    Putting the cups into the freezer for a day to shrink them and make them easier to install, do you think it's a good idea or could they shatter when you drift them in?
    Do you guys use a steel drift, a bronze drift, or an installer like the ones you use for the wheel seals?
    I've always bought Timken bearings made in USA, but I'm doing a brake/wheel bearing job on the KW and the Timken bearings I bought from Kenworth are made in India. Wtf? All the other bearing stockists I rang, same thing. Made in India. You guys had experience of this? I looked at a display Cummins ISX engine at the KW dealer: stamped on engine block "Made in India ". Assuming they've been set up with the latest machinery, and Cummins and Timken have a reputation to uphold, would they be as good as US made? I'm in Australia btw, in case you hadn't guessed.
     
    Ozdriver, Dec 31, 2016
    Ozdriver, Dec 31, 2016
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  3. Dec 31, 2016 #2
    wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    I do freeze my races, use a brass drift never had a problem yet. Not saying it's the right way but it has worked for me a long time.

    I agree WTF on the made in India
     
    wore out, Dec 31, 2016
    wore out, Dec 31, 2016
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  4. Dec 31, 2016 #3
    xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    I used to use the old bearing race to drive new one in. Just flip old one to match new and use a round piece of wood as a cushion between the bfh.
    Few years back the parts house gave me the installer tool, same concept, fewer moving parts.
    Never froze my bearings. Can't imagine you could damage them unless your freezer goes to absolute zero.
    Haven't used any made in India
    Good luck
     
    xsetra, Dec 31, 2016
    xsetra, Dec 31, 2016
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  5. Dec 31, 2016 #4
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I don't think you'd shatter them if you hit them while frozen. My go to drift is a chunk of 3/4" cold rolled steel. Athough I have taken the used races, ground the outside down and made a driver out of it.

    Speaking of bearings. My genuine Eaton Roadranger transmission overhaul kit I picked up the other day has all the bearings marked "Made in China" and I think I spotted "Made in India" on a couple parts too.
     
    AModelCat, Dec 31, 2016
    AModelCat, Dec 31, 2016
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  7. Dec 31, 2016 #5
    Ozdriver

    Ozdriver Heavy Load Member

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    I've always used a steel drift because you've got to whack them pretty hard, doesn't seem to mark them. But I don't think steel on steel is a good idea, so I might use my bronze drift tomorrow.
    Are your quality brand bearings still made in USA? Or maybe we get them from India because we are in Asia/Pacific region. I'm pretty sure Kenworth here wouldn't sell them if they were substandard.
     
    Ozdriver, Dec 31, 2016
    Ozdriver, Dec 31, 2016
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  8. Dec 31, 2016 #6
    Ozdriver

    Ozdriver Heavy Load Member

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    I think the Chinese stuff is getting better. I bought a pair of FUWA K Hitch axles for my converter dolly a few months ago and they've got a pretty good reputation now. $1000 drum to drum compared to $2500 for York axles or $3500 for BPW axles.
     
    Ozdriver, Dec 31, 2016
    Ozdriver, Dec 31, 2016
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  9. Dec 31, 2016 #7
    wore out

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    I wouldn't be afraid of them, I just ran out in the shop and looked. I have 2 USA races, an India bearing and a USA bearing. I have also used 2 hammers lay one on the race and hit it with the other while walking it around
     
    wore out, Dec 31, 2016
    wore out, Dec 31, 2016
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  10. Dec 31, 2016 #8
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I've tried brass drifts. Just too soft and they deform pretty quickly. I bought a set of bearing race drifts from Mac. They have an oval shaped face on them so they contact more of the race than a round one.
     
    AModelCat, Dec 31, 2016
    AModelCat, Dec 31, 2016
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  11. Dec 31, 2016 #9
    SAR

    SAR Road Train Member

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    I've never had a problem freezing the bearing cups and installing them either. It sure makes it easier job to get them into place. I also take the old race and make it into a driver as I don't have any special driver sets laying around. Brass punch works good too so you don't put nicks or scratchs into things.
     
    SAR, Dec 31, 2016
    SAR, Dec 31, 2016
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  12. Dec 31, 2016 #10
    bigguns

    bigguns Road Train Member

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    Don't count on KW to do anything other than to cut corners just like everybody else. Lots of times people drop races into dry ice to shrink them. This is a good idea especially when putting races into aluminum hubs. I have used to old race to drive in the new one. I have driven the old one it too far. Dumb as_. I do not use TRP parts.
     
    bigguns, Dec 31, 2016
    bigguns, Dec 31, 2016
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