Are there any viable alternatives to Timken bearings?
Just had an MOT, and my only advisory was a slight bit of play starting on OSF wheel bearing.
I know everyone bangs on about Timken, and I’m not particularly bothered at the cost - I’ll be fitting both fronts - but do I simply *have* to only consider Timken, or are there other viable, proven and trusted brands I might consider?
I saw a post on here from a few years ago where AF were touting Optimal bearings, and they seemed to be well received, but I can’t really find them easily in the UK.
AF are now also stocking Febi Bilstein hub bearings.Propelled across the land in a carriage of no horse drawn, belching Satan’s black wind into our clean and local air.
29th Dec 2023 7:28 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6575
Jaguar Land Rover original parts
29th Dec 2023 8:29 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13912
I never used Timken and got 60-70,000 miles out of standard off the shelf bearings.New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
29th Dec 2023 8:39 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6575
On the other hand I’ve got 300k km on JLR bearings so
29th Dec 2023 9:18 pm
darrind
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2863
Mine on the D4 have lasted just under 200,000 miles on original bearings first one started to get noisy so replaced with Timken if these last as long I’ll be happy!
D3 ones got noisy at 170k so swapped for Timken and been great ever sinceMust stop buying shiny toys....
29th Dec 2023 9:45 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4658
Timkin are high quality, but as with any bearing the torque applied is a critical factor affecting it's durability and longevity. I have used them for decades without issue.
I have also used SKF, again a quality manufacturer without issue. Other respected brands you could consider are FAG, Febi, or Lemforder.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
29th Dec 2023 10:08 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6575
FWIW, Lemförder is ZF.
FAG and INA are Schaeffler Group as is LuK.
SKF is very reputable in industry applications (like paper mills).
29th Dec 2023 10:40 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13912
I did a lot of towing and off roading so two sets of bearings in 231,000 miles was pretty good.
Personally I wouldn't over think it. AF will always see you right. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
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