Timken bearing sets

[dryfly]

My 5th wheel has Dexter axles that use bearings L68149 and LM67010. I noticed these bearings are available with the cones as Timken Set17 and Set6.

These are made in USA and when purchased as a set are a fraction of the price when bearings and cones are purchase individually. What's the deal?? Are these sets inferior to the individual components?

[Lynnmor]

furballs wrote:
On the other hand, if they had said USA I would wonder how long they had been in the pipeline or sitting on a shelf. Hmmm.

The longer, the better, steel doesn't age out and bearings produced years ago have a better chance of being correct.

[NEWS4US]

Most Timken Bearings for trailers are made in the Timken Bucyrus, Ohio plant. Yes some are now made in China and India. I used to work for them and prefer to install only Timken bearings in my fifthwheel.

[furballs]

I picked up a set of wheel bearings for my TT last week at a store that sells bearings, seals and a few tools. The name of the place has "Bearings" in it. It has been there for 40 years that I know of. When I told the counter guy that I drive out there to get Timken bearings because they are made in the USA, he said "not anymore." He said they are now made in China. I wish mine had said made in USA. On the other hand, if they had said USA I would wonder how long they had been in the pipeline or sitting on a shelf. Hmmm.

[ford_truck_guy]

My last 2 sets of Timkens were BOTH "MADE IN THE USA " .. Stamped on the bearing, and marked on the box

[dryfly]

cougar28 wrote:
Probably sale 10 sets to every one piece individually sold and packaged in a single box. Next time our bearing rep drops by I'll ask him.

Yes, I would assume a price break in any item sold as a "package or kit" vs. individual components. But when the kit costs less than either of the individual components, to me that's a strange marketing concept.

However, I'm just happy to find out about the savings because individual Timken products are costly, and I'm about to replace all of my bearings, getting rid of the Chinese ones.

I found out several years ago that Timken manufactured all over the world. I don't think that's of any concern as overall, they probably hold their quality control to a high standard, regardless of country of origin.

[Lynnmor]

Timken has manufacturing plants around the world. I haven't seen wheel bearing sizes made outside the USA, but perhaps some are. At least the Timken brand might have some semblance of quality control unlike those made you know where.

[Dave_H_M]

Be careful about automatically assuming they are made in the US.

[cougar28]

Probably sale 10 sets to every one piece individually sold and packaged in a single box. Next time our bearing rep drops by I'll ask him.

[Lynnmor]

The price is set by the retailer and they know nothing other than what the market will bear.

[ScottG]

I think the answer is volume. They've been making many of the common sizes for countless years - 60+ in some cases. The equipment is ancient and paid for many times over. Plus, they continue to supply more of the bearings to industry than probably anyone else.

I have seen the same thing with vintage car bearings. Timkens are cheaper than off-brands in almost every case.

[dryfly]

I know they are the best! Everyone knows!

The question is why are the sets so much less expensive. I keep thinking there is no such thing as a free lunch.................

[cougar28]

SidecarFlip wrote:
All I run is Timken or SKF.

I rebuild lots of gear boxes every year small to 6,000lb +. Always Timken or SKS. If you want it to last use the best.

[SidecarFlip]

All I run is Timken or SKF.

[ScottG]

No, for some reason Timken sets are just a good value in many applications. Often cheaper than import junk.
They are also the best.