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France, Paris
1 Level
729 Review
50 Karma

Review on ⚙️ Enhanced Performance Timken SP470200 Axle Bearing and Hub Assembly for improved results by Nick Palacio

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Timken to win good for wheel

If you play around a lot with explorers/climbers on 3rd and 4th generation models, you know that front wheel bearings come out with a regularity of between 80-120,000 miles. I had 2 3rd and 4th generation climbers/explorers in my own stable and kept a few others for family members. I've tried cheap imported bearing assemblies and mostly they've died within 15,000 miles. Some of the cheap ones didn't even make it a block before falling to their deaths. Timken is an OEM for Motorcraft bearings and these are now the only hubs I approve for use in vehicles I own. They are simply made of high quality steel. Cheap ones from the start may look nice, but when the bearings start to sing and quickly loosen, that's no consolation. What to look for when buying: Check the ABS sensor on the hub, sometimes they crackle during transport. Make sure the ABS sensor wire sockets match your old ones (you may have the wrong year socket). Make sure you have new bolts when ordering Timken blocks. Motorcraft blocks come with new bolts, but for some reason Timkens don't. If you have a 4x4 you may need to loosen the upper ball joint to allow the front axle to slide into the old hub far enough to access the mounting bolts. I recommend making sure your upper/lower ball joints are good as if they are not good now is the time to replace them. It is much easier to detach the hub from the steering knuckle if you remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle. Then the ball joints are immediately exchanged. Much luck!

Pros
  • Bearings & Seals
Cons
  • Hard to tell