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Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?
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Author:  HowardJ [ Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

So I'm planning/thinking (which could be dangerous) :shock: of replacing a rear axle's inner and outer bearing and grease seal. Problem is, as a lot of you know, some OEM parts are no longer available. So the only option then is an after market part. If you can find them they are more costly than after market OE parts. One OEM axle bearing I found costs $45 vs. $17 for a KOYO brand bearing. Has anyone heard of them? Used their products?

The other question I have is are NOS (new old stock) OEM parts any better than a newly made after market part? The axle bearing play of the rear axle (about 1/8") is supposedly adjustable and the slight movement can/should be able to be corrected, but.... Things have to be taken apart that's never been removed before and things can break. :roll: And if the bearing adjustment doesn't work I'd like to have the parts (inner and outer bearings) in hand.

I prefer preventative maintenance over having to do a repair. AND it's usually less costly that way. I have Zero issues with it at this time. SO.... Let sleeping dogs lie (until there's an issue (noise,grinding, vibration) or do I roll the dice? :? :roll: :?:

Stay well... stay safe everyone.

Author:  Frank T [ Wed Sep 09, 2020 6:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

I've never changed a rear bearing personally, but Vinny tells me it can be a major PITA, requiring removal of the rear wheels and pressing-out the old bearing on a drill press, then re-seating the new ones? And of course you have to do both sides.
The fronts sound a lot easier ~ why don't you PM them, first? :lol:

Author:  johnnyZ [ Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

Howie, I'm with you in that I've also done mostly PM work on my car, avoiding the more costly and complicated repairs down the road.

For what its worth, I still have the original wheel bearings and races in my car (close to 200K miles!) BUT, I have made it a point to repack them regularly and I did replace the seals in the process. Those bearings seem to be pretty high quality and should last a long, long time if they are properly greased. I would go that route as long as you are not experiencing any unusual noises from the bearings and upon inspection you don't see any flaking or scoring. Not one of my favorite maintenance tasks. :roll:

Author:  HowardJ [ Thu Sep 10, 2020 12:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

Thanks for the input. I was able to find, and order, two OEM and one Toyo OE inner and outer bearing and grease seal. If nothing breaks during disassembly and the bearings look good, all that should be needed is a repack and a proper snugging. I'll even treat the front bearing to a repack, as Frank kinda suggested. If they look a little "blue" or tan I'll replace them.The bearings and seals are all original too, with almost 37,000 miles. Time for them to be greased up for it's 36th birthday (October 1st). :mrgreen: :D :thumbs_up:

Author:  johnnyZ [ Thu Sep 10, 2020 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

37,000 Miles?? They are just broken in! Grease 'EM! :wink:

Author:  HowardJ [ Fri Sep 11, 2020 7:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

:) :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:

Author:  Paul [ Sun Sep 27, 2020 11:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

So every bearing has a code number on it, with that code contact Timken bearing and they should have it. A well trusted company. Also a car sitting a long time in one spot could possibly be bad for the bearings, just a guess. To do the bearings a press is required.

Author:  HowardJ [ Mon Sep 28, 2020 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

Thank you all for your input. I'm proceeding cautiously. The reason this is being done is because there is minimal movement/play when the RR wheel was checked for in/out, up/down and left/right movement. The rear axle bearing/ wheel bearing is supposedly adjustable on my Z which should eliminate the play in the wheel. But... a lot of stuff has to be dismantled and moved up and out of the way just to be able to get a wrench on it. The new bearings and seal were bought just in case they're needed after attempting to bring it back to specs and no play in the wheel/bearing. The job is planned for next week sometime. :shock: :roll:

Author:  Frank T [ Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

Hey......If it ain't broke..... :?

Author:  Paul [ Tue Sep 29, 2020 6:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

Yea Frank I would start there. :thumbs_up: Also no adjustment for rear bearings and they're sealed so no way greasing. Drive it till it breaks is the motto. :lol:

Author:  jp260z [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

I'll second what Paul said. If you have to replace a wheel bearing Timken is the brand I recommend, they make a high quality product. In fact they are (or at least were) an OEM supplier. I replaced the front rotors on a Toyota truck I had that was my Dad's since new up until I bought it. While I had it apart I repacked the front bearings and they were Timken..... They'd never been replaced or even serviced until that point. They went 200k miles before I sold it and no issues with them.

Author:  Frank T [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:58 pm ]
Post subject: 

I just read about Timken roller bearings ~ an industry standard for more than 120 years now. Maybe the only American part which routinely lasts 200,000 miles. Makes me want to fly the flag!

Author:  HowardJ [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 6:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

Update: When the right rear axle was disassembled it was found that the grease in it had dried out and was no longer making contact with the bearings. Huh??

After two days, and many hours of labor, all four corners had their inner and outer wheel bearings, races and grease seals replaced and repacked. Some of the OEM bearings I tracked down at a Nissan dealer in Arizona, and had shipped to Lawng Guyland, actually had to be soaked in solvent to remove the 35 year old grease they were packed with because they too looked "crusty". The Toyo brand OE bearings were in much better condition and are working perfectly.

I'm (or at least the car) is ready for the next 36 yearZ. 8) :mrgreen: :thumbs_up:

Author:  Frank T [ Thu Nov 26, 2020 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

I was just looking at your profile; did you really join on Christmas Day?
You have a 5 year anniversary coming up.
You can have free hotdogs at the Fall Outing picnic for that.

Author:  HowardJ [ Fri Nov 27, 2020 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hard to find OEM or After market wheel/axle bearings?

:shock: :D :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: NOW all we need is a Fall Outing to go to. :roll: :(

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