Front hub taper bearings - which to use ?

[Andrew1967]

In the absence of Timken front wheel bearings (at a sensible price, if at all), what taper bearings are people using ?

Generally, cheap means Chinese shit but are there any reasonable non Timken bearings out there at the moment ?

[EAVB]

I have the Minispares cheap bearings on one of my cars as Timkens weren't available when it was in pieces. So far they have managed two years of daily use by my wife (10 miles each way to work) and one track day by me at Castle Combe and, amazingly, they are still ok!

My other minis have Timkens but I was quite surprised how the cheapy ones have fared. Maybe I've just been lucky? My wife does give them quite a hard time!

[Hipwell]

Think it depends on the set up. It’s been argued about before on here if end float or preload is needed. One thing is for sure, too much preload and no bearing is going to last long. Lucky the Mini has strong stub axles.

[Dearg1275]

Andrew,

I just opted for SKF. IF you punch in the kit part number on the web you will find loads on offer. SKF are good bearings anyway. When I opened the box, jackpot, they were Timkens. SKF say on the box that they supply their own bearings or those of equivalent quality. They were considerably cheaper than from the Mini suppliers and were available.

D

[CMC]

I just opted for SKF. IF you punch in the kit part number on the web you will find loads on offer. SKF are good bearings anyway. When I opened the box, jackpot, they were Timkens.

Same here, bought SKF VKBA749 (Timken in the box) from some general parts supplier in Germany on eBay recently, cheaper than Minispares and (for me in Holland) cheaper shipping. And sometimes new old stock Timkens pop up on eBay.
If you're in a rush however, the cheap bearings will get you out of trouble and might last longer than expected. If not, changing a set only takes an hour per side.

[mk1]

I have used the much reviled "cheap" bearings for years & have had no bearing failures in that time. As long as the hub is in good condition, is assembled correctly & everything is lubed as it should be I can't see there being an issue at all.

[Andrew1967]

Thanks for the feedback everyone so far.

Interesting to note that a couple of you have had no problems with the cheaper ones and yes Mark, the condition of the hubs are are important too.

Unless its last minute cancelled, there's an auto jumble near me weekend after next so I'll go along and see what I can find and if not, have a choice of what to get online.

[swifty]

I've found with the mini spares bearings that they run a little noisier than timpkin bearings . I've had no issues with play in them at all , just feel that there is a droning noise . Maybe I was unlucky . If your putting them on your restored Cooper s then I would go for the timpkin every time ... ken

[Andrew1967]

Yes, they are for HOY and I would prefer Timken (or a brand that uses Timken bearings).

There's time yet

[Costafortune]

The big no no is over greasing. Dip them in Castrol whatever and spin them until they are greased up, put a decent fingerful in between the bearings and that's it. Do not put any in the cap. The grease you see in the cap upon removal is the excess that the bearings spat out and don't need.

SKF, INA and FAG are good bearings.

[nick rogers]

I got some Japanese ones which I imagine will be top quality. From memory the make is Koyo, I think.

[snoopy64]

I got some Japanese ones which I imagine will be top quality. From memory the make is Koyo, I think.

Indeed or if you bought them here more likely Barnsley’s finest (Europe manufacturing plant for koyo )

[Daz1968]

I was lucky and had some nos timken for my mk2, but I did fit new hubs as well, had issues with my old hubs in the past with the central shoulder being a bit worn. Only problem was new hubs are to large on nose for 7 inch discs so I had to machine them down in diameter a bit. I would go for any branded bearing like skf but wouldn’t go for the cheap ones.

[nick rogers]

So Kevin, I went 10000 miles to Tokyo when I could have gone 5 miles to Barnsley ? Bugger !

[Spider]

I got some Japanese ones which I imagine will be top quality. From memory the make is Koyo, I think.

Timken had their hands in Koyo in some way for some time. I'm of little doubt they'll be every bit as good as Tmkens. I didn't know they our wheel bearings.

On that, of all the brands I have seen over the years, Timkens (and likely Koyos) have been the only ones that are clearly packaged as a matched set.

[Costafortune]

I got some Japanese ones which I imagine will be top quality. From memory the make is Koyo, I think.

Indeed or if you bought them here more likely Barnsley’s finest (Europe manufacturing plant for koyo )

Koyo make diff bearings for BMW. They aren't the best.

[minimad]

I got some Japanese ones which I imagine will be top quality. From memory the make is Koyo, I think.

Indeed or if you bought them here more likely Barnsley’s finest (Europe manufacturing plant for koyo )

Koyo make diff bearings for BMW. They aren't the best.

Must be all them doughnuts your doing

[Andrew1967]

As a follow up on this, after much searching I took a chance on some SKF bearings from Onlinecarparts.co.uk. based in Berlin.

Ordered late on 30/7 and arrived today.

Great news ... they are Timken bearings

Total cost inc. shipping from Germany ... £87.42 for the pair