Kirby N.
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- February 6, 2001
- Messages
- 2,634
- Reaction score
- 436
- City, State
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1991 Ranger
I just put in a set of Timken bearings marked made in usa into my exploder from auto zone. They seem to be fine. Don't forget you get what you pay for. "Value" 
Also, I learned something this time (we got a new exploder, so I did ball joints and new seals and bearings). The inner most washer on the axle shaft- it is a hard plastic washer around 1/8" thick with 1 tapered interior edge that rides over the outer axle shaft near the ujoint nuckle between the shaft itself and the inner side of the spindle- must be installed with the taper facing away from the spindle. Ie- the tapered inner edge rides facing the ujoint.
I installed the washer backwards on one side. This resulted in a tighter outer "c clip" and the end of the axle shaft. I installed the c clip with some effort and put it back together. Everything was fine until an extended amount of 4x4 usage when all of the sudden it sounded like my front hub was coming apart in 2x4. This is when I discovered a dislodged c clip on the outer shaft and a popped off circlip inside the hub. All due to a backward installation of the inner washer. FYI I guess.
On an unrelated note, I think this may be the reason that the c clips on Dana 44s fit sometimes and other times dont. Atleast, I think it is why one side fit on my Dana 44 and the other didn't.

Also, I learned something this time (we got a new exploder, so I did ball joints and new seals and bearings). The inner most washer on the axle shaft- it is a hard plastic washer around 1/8" thick with 1 tapered interior edge that rides over the outer axle shaft near the ujoint nuckle between the shaft itself and the inner side of the spindle- must be installed with the taper facing away from the spindle. Ie- the tapered inner edge rides facing the ujoint.
I installed the washer backwards on one side. This resulted in a tighter outer "c clip" and the end of the axle shaft. I installed the c clip with some effort and put it back together. Everything was fine until an extended amount of 4x4 usage when all of the sudden it sounded like my front hub was coming apart in 2x4. This is when I discovered a dislodged c clip on the outer shaft and a popped off circlip inside the hub. All due to a backward installation of the inner washer. FYI I guess.
On an unrelated note, I think this may be the reason that the c clips on Dana 44s fit sometimes and other times dont. Atleast, I think it is why one side fit on my Dana 44 and the other didn't.