'57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

[Garry E.]

I would like to use Timken bearings when rebuilding the differential on my '57..... Does anyone know a supplier who carries Timken bearings......? Also..... does anyone know the Timken part numbers for these bearings......? I might be able to find a local source for these items if I know the part numbers....

thanks

Garry Eastwood
#38705

[Bruce B.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

Gary,
Check the old bearings for part numbers, bearing part numbers are standardized and the part can be bought from many suppliers.
I would check the country of origin along with the brand name as many bearings are imported by American companies, which is not necessarilly bad.
Japanese and European manufacturers are usually good quality.
Stay away from the Chinese junk .

[John N.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

Garry
PM Tom Parsons. He will know.
Regards

[Tom P.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

The bearing numbers for 55-64 pass car rears and 56-62 Vette rears are the same and they all use what I would call industry standard numbers.
The bearing AND race are seperate part numbers and have to be purchased seperately--------------they DO NOT come as a matched set (I have NO CLUE why!).

REAR PINION
Bearing-HM89449
Race-HM89410

FRONT PINION
Bearing-HM88547
Race-HM88510

SIDE CARRIER
Bearing-LM603049
Race-603014

I just went online with Rock Auto (I buy lots of parts from Rock) and ALL of the rearend bearings/races------EXCEPT------the side carrier race, are available in Timken. Personally, I have ZERO grief with any of the other brands (SKF, National, BCA, etc).

[Richard G.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

The Tapered roller bearings mate to each other of course. However the outside diameter and the inside diameters can change. So the mating side (the side the bearing rollers are on) are of identical dimensions. On the Cup the outside diameter can change and on the Cone the inside diameters can change. This depends on the application(s). So the same bearing can fit different shafts and have different identification numbers to indicate the differences. Because the number and size of the rollers is identical the rated load for the bearing will often be identical for the bearing series.
Hope this helps clear up why the parts are not not available together. Often they come is sets for common applications like wheel bearings. These come with a silly numbering system like (Set 8). Go figure.
Rick



The bearing AND race are seperate part numbers and have to be purchased seperately--------------they DO NOT come as a matched set (I have NO CLUE why!).

[Garry E.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

All.....

Thanks for the input..... very helpful!!

Garry

[Daniel K.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

Gary,

Just purchased rear axle bearings for my 62 from Allied Bearing Sales in LA, CA. Went there on recommendation from the posting on this board (Tom P.) Fellow on the phone seemed to be very knowledgeable. Received the bearings in just a few days, too. The fellow on the phone told me to just send the money once the bearings arrived at my home. $45 ea. and $9 to ship to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. I asked for the Corvette Club discount.

[Mike B.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

Mr. Parsons, my first time into a rear end and I was looking in the forum for info on these side bearings that I need for my 61 and when I take the race to Purvis Bearing co. near me they tell me that this is for a barrel bearing manufactured by GM and not a tapered bearing. And when he crosses it to Timken it is about $140.00 for race and bearing sold as a set. Yet everyone else like you ( O'reilly, Autozone, Napa) say it comes as a 2 piece race and bearing. I am confused. so when I look up bearing in Rock auto their description for the numbers you list for side bearings they are for a tapered bearing and a tapered cone. Have you ordered this part number from them and is it OK to use a tapered bearing in this application or is their description wrong and it is not a tapered bearing????/ or did someone put the wrong bearing in at some point in time. ????????????? Thanks, Mike 53700

[Richard G.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

Mike
I believe there is some confusion on the exact location of the bearings in question. The two outer bearings in the differential are Tapered roller bearings, sometimes know as Timken style. You may be referring to the axle bearings, just inside the brake on the outer axle. These are straight roller bearings and are expensive because of the application. This bearing was not used by GM after 1960's and is now considered a specialty item. Usual to spend about $100 per side. You can use the OEM manufacture number (Hyatt 1542) or a BCA RW607NR.. The "RW" in the bearing number stands for Rear Wheel, in-case you were wondering. The seals are also on the expensive side in my book.

[Mike B.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

MikeI believe there is some confusion on the exact location of the bearings in question. The two outer bearings in the differential are Tapered roller bearings, sometimes know as Timken style. You may be referring to the axle bearings, just inside the brake on the outer axle. These are straight roller bearings and are expensive because of the application. This bearing was not used by GM after 1960's and is now considered a specialty item. Usual to spend about $100 per side. You can use the OEM manufacture number (Hyatt 1542) or a BCA RW607NR.. The "RW" in the bearing number stands for Rear Wheel, in-case you were wondering. The seals are also on the expensive side in my book.

No sir these are the 2 side bearings inside the pumpkin that I am referring but thanks.

[Tom P.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

Whoops, sorry Mike to be so late with a reply. I never saw your question (over 2yrs ago, SORRY!).
First, SOOOOOOOOOOO many parts guys just DO NOT KNOW about parts and what is needed for an older car.
For the 1955-56 Chevrolet rears, the SIDE CARRIER bearings used BARREL rollers. In 1957, the side carrier bearings changed to TAPERED roller bearings. The barrel roller bearings are no longer available, and when you go to a parts house and ask for side carrier bearings for a 55-56 rear, THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE! DUH, that is because they were replaced by the 57-64 style tapered roller bearings.
SO, use the tapered roller bearings listed for 57-64 side carrier bearings.
And yes, the BEARING and RACE (cone if you prefer) are sold seperately and not as a set, because SOME applications use the same bearing, but are mated to a different race or vice versa. Thus, the bearing and race are sold seperately.
The part numbers I listed above are an industry standard for the bearing/race. They are DIFFERENT from the part number shown in the Chevrolet Parts book. Back then, the bearing vendor for GM was New Departure/Hyatt. I haven't seen an NOS, in the box, ND or Hyatt bearing since the Civil War was over.

And, while we're on the subject of bearings for these early rearends, has anyone seen any NOS ROLLER bearings that were originally used in the posi (58-62) rears? The last time any vendor offered them, they were VERY expensive. I don't think they are available from any source. BUT, the regular ball bearings (RW607 series) for the axles are just fine.

[Mike B.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

Whoops, sorry Mike to be so late with a reply. I never saw your question (over 2yrs ago, SORRY!).First, SOOOOOOOOOOO many parts guys just DO NOT KNOW about parts and what is needed for an older car.For the 1955-56 Chevrolet rears, the SIDE CARRIER bearings used BARREL rollers. In 1957, the side carrier bearings changed to TAPERED roller bearings. The barrel roller bearings are no longer available, and when you go to a parts house and ask for side carrier bearings for a 55-56 rear, THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE! DUH, that is because they were replaced by the 57-64 style tapered roller bearings.SO, use the tapered roller bearings listed for 57-64 side carrier bearings. And yes, the BEARING and RACE (cone if you prefer) are sold seperately and not as a set, because SOME applications use the same bearing, but are mated to a different race or vice versa. Thus, the bearing and race are sold seperately.The part numbers I listed above are an industry standard for the bearing/race. They are DIFFERENT from the part number shown in the Chevrolet Parts book. Back then, the bearing vendor for GM was New Departure/Hyatt. I haven't seen an NOS, in the box, ND or Hyatt bearing since the Civil War was over.And, while we're on the subject of bearings for these early rearends, has anyone seen any NOS ROLLER bearings that were originally used in the posi (58-62) rears? The last time any vendor offered them, they were VERY expensive. I don't think they are available from any source. BUT, the regular ball bearings (RW607 series) for the axles are just fine.

You were in time because I was looking at old thread and responded to that. I will use the 2 part numbers you mentioned because I can find them. thanks again, Mike

[Tom P.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

Mike,
These are a standard bearing/race, and I have seen various prices from various sources. So shop around for the best price. Rock Auto USUALLY has good prices, but I have seen better prices at times from other vendors.
I think there are 3 different manufactures shown for these bearings (Timken, SKF, BCA), but it is my guess that PROBABLY only one manufacturer makes them and they are boxed by different companies. So I can't say that one will be better than another.
If and when possible, I like to buy Timken.

Also, at one time, what was considered to be one of the better axle bearings (RW607 series) was Green brand. If you can run across any of those tucked away in some deep dark hole, I'd buy them.

[Mike B.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

Thanks again and I have already ordered Timken from Rock Auto. I will keep an eye out for the axle bearings.

[Joe L.]

Re: '57 Diff. Rebuild - new bearings

I haven't seen an NOS, in the box, ND or Hyatt bearing since the Civil War was over.

I've never seen Lincoln but I've got LOTS of New Departure-Hyatt (NDH) bearings. And I mean LOTS [none for sale].

And, while we're on the subject of bearings for these early rearends, has anyone seen any NOS ROLLER bearings that were originally used in the posi (58-62) rears? The last time any vendor offered them, they were VERY expensive. I don't think they are available from any source. BUT, the regular ball bearings (RW607 series) for the axles are just fine.

I have not seen any of these (but, I haven't been looking). However, they were known as GM #7450745, aka HY A 159286 Z. They were discontinued in February, 1985 and replaced by GM #457125. The latter was discontinued without supercession in July, 1994.