Repair bearings help extend axle service life
The next time one of your customers has to replace an axle because of axle or bearing wear, you can help him/her save both time and money by suggesting he/she consider replacing the bearings and seals.
By the time your customer is looking to purchase a new rear wheel axle bearing, it’s probably an indication the axle has experienced normal wear. Because axle shafts are typically made of softer steel than bearing rollers, shafts have a tendency to wear out before the bearing. The rollers can actually wear away a section of the shaft, as shown in the diagram (right). Buying a new direct-replacement bearing and putting it on a worn shaft won’t do anything except waste your customer’s time and money and make him/her extremely irritated when it prematurely fails.
Offer your customers two possible solutions: 1) Purchase an expensive replacement axle, or 2) Purchase an economical Timken Repair Bearing.
Timken Repair Bearings are designed to replace the original bearings and seals on axles that are still in good condition, but whose original bearing and/or seal contact paths are not suitable for continued use. The extra-wide Repair Bearing repositions the rollers and seal to ride on unworn portions of the axle closer to the flange. Lubrication is accomplished through the axle tube by differential fluid, just like the O.E. design.
Customer benefits
[C] Compact bearing design–High load capacity
[C] Simplified mounting–Direct-on-shaft
[C] Cost efficiency–More economical than replacing the axle itself
Evaluate the customer’s axle shaft by identifying any signs of axle damage or wear. An axle that exhibits any of the following conditions must not be reused:
[C] Bent or distorted
[C] Discolored
[C] Surface cracks
[C] Excessive or severe wear at the original bearing path
Note: Axles unfit for reuse are not limited to those exhibiting these conditions; other conditions of distress may also render an axle unfit for reuse.
Some of the many opportunities for Rear Wheel Repair Bearings include these popular models:
[C] Dodge Ram truck, 2004-1972
[C] Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2001-1991
[C] Chevrolet Camaro, 2002-1991
[C] Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, 2004-1994
Warning: Follow the equipment manufacturer’s installation instructions. Failure to follow installation instructions, guidelines and warnings can cause equipment failure, creating a risk of serious bodily harm.
Look to Timken for all of your bearing, seal and hub needs. Find the latest information at www.timkeninfo.com or e-mail us at auto.am@timken.com.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Advanstar Communications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
