US Made Replacement Bearings

[masterdrago]

Thinking about replacing the "China's Finest" bearings in our 2yo 5r. Dexter had no idea if I could get an American made version of their bearings.



The info I got from Dexter was:

The Dexter Axle 7K axle use the following bearings: Inner bearing number, 25580/25520 and outer bearing 14125A/14276 . The Dexter Axle seal part number is 010-036-00.
These bearings and seal are available in Dexter Axle kit P/N K71-720-00.
You can contact bearing supply sources with the above bearing numbers and inquire where they are made. The seal is a Dexter Part number and may not cross reference to other brands. The seal dimensions are: Inside diameter is for a 2.250 inch shaft (approximately 2.220” φ). The outside diameter is 3.376” . This is a double lip seal with a garter spring for tension.


The kit can be had for $25. I'm pretty sure the Timkin is more.

[richfaa]

Most if not all Timkin bearings are made in China

[WeBeFulltime]

Originally Posted by richfaa

Most if not all Timkin bearings are made in China

Every Timkin bearing/race I have used were stamped "USA".

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by richfaa

Most if not all Timkin bearings are made in China

My recently purchased Timkins are etched/stamped USA.

[Dave W]

I have no idea who (or where) made the races in my disc brake rotors but put Timken Cones (USA made) in. At ~3000 miles this past spring, everything looked like new. After another 3000 or so miles this year will be checking them again in the spring.


Timkens seem to be the favorite for RV but others lke Fafnir, SKF, Bower and so on are also available, using the standard bearing designations. My history with the Dexter OEM is not good. At ~ 3500 miles after buying the RV new found one that was chipped, another with a circumferential gouge around the rollers and a 3rd that was turning blue. Dexter - you did me wrong as I suspect that 2 of these these were your problems caused by slipshod assemblers, not the Chinese bearing manufacturer. In addition, I replaced axles on the last 5er - and four out of the 8 brake shoes were contaminated by grease as they came from Dexter.

[MARK A]

RockAuto.com is where I purchased my Timken bearings and races. Nearly 50% cheaper than my local Napa, O Riley's, or Advanced Auto. They all said made in USA


Mark

[jcurtis934]

Mine were usa made

[rohrmann]

When you replace the bearings with Timkens, you also MUST replace the races in the hubs with the Timken races. I did this several years ago after having one of the Chinese bearings fail while on the road. All the numbers quoted are universal trade numbers for these bearings and Timken bearings are made in many parts of the world. Timken bearings may or may not be 100% made in the USA, but their quality control and reputation for all their products makes for a dependable bearing.

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

When you replace the bearings with Timkens, you also MUST replace the races in the hubs with the Timken races.

Just wondering if it is cheaper to buy the bearings and races separately, is there any good reason to buy as sets? At AMZN, you can do it several ways with the Timkin part numbers.

[shovelhead86]

Never ever change only the bearing. They are made in matched sets and need to be replaced and worn in together.

[mazboy]

here you go:

'Timken" bearings are currently made in Mexico, Poland, Italy, and possibly others as well as the US. Timken claims their QC is the same regardless of the country of origin which will be stamped on the specific bearing.'

[Slow Hand]

I put Timken in mine. It took all day. Had to make sure the hub was clean and then install new races with bearings. I never just replace the bearing. It sure took a lot of latex gloves LOL

[awheeler]

How often should they be changed?

[rohrmann]

A bearing needs to be replaced only when there are issues with the particular bearing. There is no replacement schedule, and if maintained regularly, the bearings should be able to outlast your rig. All this is assuming the bearings are quality bearings to start with. The reason some of us have replaced the Chinese bearings in our rigs is because they are much less durable than better quality bearings such as Timken. There are other high quality bearings on the market, too, but Timken seems to be the Go-to bearing we all seem to upgrade to.

[awheeler]

Thank you. I do the maintenance regularly.

[masterdrago]

The complete kit is on sale at Dexter for $28 Dexter Axle kit P/N K71-720-00 but I'm sure they are the same "China Finest" that are in the 5r now. Looking for the parts around the web each wheel parts using Timkin would be around ~$62 plus 4 seals ($20). I did notice that the etrailer parts are from China. At least in the pix.

[Texan]

If I were replacing bearings on all the wheels then I would use nothing but Timken with there races. If I were just wanting a spare set for one wheel in case of emergency then I would buy the Dexter's which are China. The Timken's are about 4 times the price of 'Made in China' brands or close to 70.00 per wheel for bearings,races , and seals. If I were using the quality of Timken then I would use the quality of there races.

[masterdrago]

I'm still shopping and have some of these in my cart. But WOW! I'm not one to cheap out but just poking around and looking at the price of the seal is like, really?? Clearly, we don't want a grease seal to fail with the possible very hazardous condition of brake failure.



All in this list get 4+ to 5* ratings at AMZN.



Seal # 412920


$16.33 Timkin

$4.20 Dexter
$20.18 National
$3.37 WPS
$8.96 Coast To Coast

[masterdrago]

Anyone taking bets that these are China knockoffs?


https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...15037.html?s=p

[rohrmann]

The Dexter seals are more than capable, regardless of where they might be made, and they will be the double lip seal specified for these axles. I usually order a dozen at a time. Absolutely no reason to spend four or five times as much for another brand.