Bearings/Fluids?

Topic: Bearings/Fluids? (Read 1496 times) previous topic - next topic

Bearings/Fluids?

September 26, 2009, 02:58:13 AM

I've got my TC 8.8 rear Apart and getting ready to install the new 31 spline internals.

Was just curious if anyone knows of/has used any specific Bearings and Races that give any kind of "Performance" difference over the generic Part Store ones.

I assume they are all mostly the same, But again~
I just want to be sure, And get this done right the first time so i wont have to take out the Pinion again any time soon.

Also,
What would be the best Fluid Choice for the setup? 75W140? 80W140?

Bearings/Fluids?

Reply #1 – October 04, 2009, 10:52:28 PM

No opinions on this?

Did ford use Timken Bearings off the line?
In my research~it just looks like everyone goes with Timken for quality/performance Bearings.

But i actually just noticed the bearings and races i pulled out of the '96 explorer are Timken, So im curious if they might have been changed at some point or were just from the factory like that.
They are in excellent shape and now making me wonder if i should even swap them out (save $100 and the hassle of dealing with the main pinion bearing).

The '87 TC Bearings and races just have numbers, And the quality of them looks really rough and low quality...

Bearings/Fluids?

Reply #2 – October 06, 2009, 03:10:43 AM

If your lucky, you may still find good quality Timkin Bearings. IMHO, the bearing world is going to hell. Have direct experience with this company from my father in law who retired from timken.

Fluids? heavy fluid of course:hick: There is a really good sticky fluid that can be had on the cheap in your tractor supply shops which is used as hydraulic fluid in warmer states. Its weight is 85w140 or 150. I have a 5gal bucket of it here , sticky as honey to tell you the truth. Same color to also.

Bearings/Fluids?

Reply #3 – October 06, 2009, 01:08:41 PM

I've been looking into buying a rebuild kit (and so is everyone else on ebay, lol), But when i actually went out and inspected the explorer bearings and races and found out they were timken... Now im kinda set on re-using them.

Would this be a bad idea?
Theres little to no signs of wear on them.

As for fluids~
So thickest is best? Theres a new offroad/performance truck shop i found locally that has a nicer selection of fluids, So i'll go see what they have.

Bearings/Fluids?

Reply #4 – October 08, 2009, 12:20:46 AM

I will get you the weight of the stuff im talking about tomorrow on my bucket. I was just commenting on how sticky this stuff is and that alone must contribute to less wear.

as for re-using them, I dont have tools to measure bearing wear. My father in law taught me a couple things about wear indicators on the bearing outter ring coupled to the inner ring. lots of people dont know there are wear indicators but you gotta use a magnifying glass to eyeball it best.

I would not reuse a bearing im holding in my hand,,, doesnt make sense.

Bearings/Fluids?

Reply #5 – October 08, 2009, 10:30:41 AM

I guy by me had some NOS Motorcraft front wheel bearings I bought when I replaced the front roters on my T-bird this summer. They were stamped made in the USA and Timkin :hick:. My guess is Ford has been using Timkin bearings for awhile.

Bearings/Fluids?

Reply #6 – October 09, 2009, 01:07:31 AM

I just went out to do some more dis-assembly on my TC 8.8 rear, And found some new info on this matter~

I pulled the rear pinion bearing (only bearing i had not taken a look at yet), And its marked "Timken Canada" as well as the Race. (PITA to remove IMO).

While the forward bearing race was marked "Koyo - Made in the USA"
And the other bearings and races just have numbers (And look to be a low quality).

Odd.

Bearings/Fluids?

Reply #7 – October 24, 2009, 12:57:24 AM

finally

the gear oil i mentioned earlier is 85w90