No More Timkin at Autozone

[elhombre]

At least here in Texas. Went by the local Zoo and tried to get some inner wheel hub seals for a little wheel bearing maintenance and was told by the knowledgeable parts chick that AutoZoo is phasing out their Timkin products. They are now going to have National brand bearings. The seals were listed as "Duralast" brand. Maybe they are National too, but that is what the computer said.

I always bought wheel bearings and seals from the Zone because they had Timkin, but I guess no more. Anybody have any good or bad things to say about National brand bearings and seals? Or are bearings just like the question of which oil brand is best?

 

[KLF]

The only thing I buy at AutoZone anymore is blue shop towels and maybe car wash soap. Their parts are crap. Learned that lesson the hard way. The only place to get seals is OEM from beno. I've also had very good luck with parts from NAPA (brake calipers, rotors).

 

[sbman]

They quit carrying Gates products as well. The manager at the one I used to go to said corporate is clearing out all the performance and name brands in favor of the cheapest crap they can get to reduce prices and increase volume sales to the masses that only look at the price. No more holley carb parts, gates, timkin, etc... O'Reilly is still carrying name brand stuff, I go there or Napa now.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

National brand bearings don't last all that long and duralast doesn't amount to much either. I've quit using Autozone for most things. I generally buy from the dealership these days, got a good relationship with their parts guys since I'm in there so often, they give me he friends and family discount and usually a few percent on top of that. I get parts for what they get parts for these days. I have also had great luck with www.toyotapartsoverstock.com
I try and stay away from aftermarket replacements these days, had to redo too many things multiple times from parts failure that I Just got tired of it. It is a get what you pay for world these days.

 

[sea bass]

I wouldn't buy parts for my lawnmower let alone my 80 from the suckzone

 

[ranma21]

That is ashame they are doing away with good brand item. Anyway I usually go in there for oil and fluid and some touch up paint once in a blue moon anyway.

 

[baldilocks]

oem costs more but you only buy once.

 

[Hornd]

I buy all my parts on Ebay (OEM Oil Filters, Add-Ons), RockAuto.com, Stealership (Fastners, Coffee, When my self-esteem is low), Napa (Calipers), Amazon Prime (Magnaflow), Cruiser Outfitters (Front Axle Rebuild), Sam Stewart, Costco (Tires, Mobil1, and Battery).
I did get Gates hose at Autozone, but looks like that has changed.
Btwn Rock and Ebay I cover about 90%.
Craigslist, only with my pistol and cash. End up using one or the other.

 

[ranma21]

oem costs more but you only buy once.

Can't agree more!!

 

[Hornd]

oem costs more but you only buy once.

You really buy your tires, batteries, and oil at the dealership?

 

[baldilocks]

You really buy your tires, batteries, and oil at the dealership?

Really? That's what you read from my post? The subject is bearings. Stay focused!

 

[elhombre]

oem costs more but you only buy once.

Then I guess I have been doing something wrong. How does a person get the inner bearings out of the hub without tearing up the inner hub seal?

 

[SmokingRocks]

gloves, cleaners, fluids, light bulbs and wiper blades. Thats about all I get from any chain store.

Then I guess I have been doing something wrong. How does a person get the inner bearings out of the hub without tearing up the inner hub seal?

There is a reason why the Marlin Crawler front bearing package comes with this seal.
Front Wheel Bearing Kit | Marlin Crawler, Inc.

 

[Kernal]

"Craigslist, only with my pistol and cash. End up using one or the other."

Had an interesting experience myself with a craigslist item, think Deliverance at dusk. Will never again go look at something on craigslist without my (legal) CC protection inside my waistband.

Back on topic: with parts being made all over the world from the same manufacturer it's getting difficult to compare quality IME. The same part number and same brand could be made in half a dozen different countries, not to mention counterfeit bearings in counterfeit boxes.

 

[KLF]

Then I guess I have been doing something wrong. How does a person get the inner bearings out of the hub without tearing up the inner hub seal?

Easy.

Remove the spindle nuts and star washer. Slide the hub off just enough to get the outer bearing out. Slide the hub back on, put one spindle nut back on a few threads. Yank the hub straight out in a quick motion. The nut will pass thru the hub but the inner bearing will catch on the nut, and pop the inner seal right out undamaged. Works like a charm.

 

[Hornd]

Really? That's what you read from my post? The subject is bearings. Stay focused!

Never heard of a Timkin failure but carry on.
Mine has Timkins in it.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Ive never seen a quality bearing that is properly preloaded and greased fail.

Failure is commonly a result of lack of lubrication, too much or too little of pre-load, and/or damage done during installation.

 

[KLF]

You really buy your tires, batteries, and oil at the dealership?

I put new tires on our Highlander last fall and our local dealer was running a "buy 3, get 4 tires" deal. I checked everywhere and nobody could beat that price.

 

[OGBeno]

Timken's roller bearing business was bought by.... guess who.... Koyo (majority owned by Toyota).

 

[elhombre]

So much hate against Autozone. I was just posting a FYI post. They USED to sell good quality bearings and seals under the Timkin name for cheaper than Mr. T. See first post.

Thanks KLF! I will try your procedure for popping that seal out without distorting it. BUT, I will have two extra on hand just in case...

Few months ago I bought a KOYO master rebuild kit for the rear diff, and it had one of the bearings with Timkin stamped on it.