The ordering of correct replacement bearings is vital to minimizing downtime and assuring the correct interchanges. Timken suggests that you follow these simple steps to identify your bearings and then proceed to the appropriate catalog section for correct bearing catalog number.

If no identification number is legible, measure the following dimensions:

1. Inner ring bore
2. Outer ring outside diameter
3. Inner width and outer width (not always the same dimension)
4. Shape of the outer ring: beveled vs. straight O.D.
5. List the unique features of the bearing or components such as: relubrication holes in the outer ring, wireloc (snap ring) groove in the outer ring O.D. Replacement and nomenclature information for Timken bearings refer to TIMKEN bearing cross reference and TIMKEN bearing nomenclature.

TIMKEN ball bearings

To identify: RADIAL BALL BEARINGS

Open Type
The size and type of an open type (unshielded or unsealed) TIMKEN radial ball bearing is identified by the bearing number located on either the inner or outer ring face or bearing O.D. (e.g., 205K).

Shielded/Sealed Type
The size and type of a shielded/sealed type radial ball bearing is identified by the bearing number located on the shield or seal cap (e.g. 205PP).

To identify: WIDE INNER RING BALL BEARINGS

Open Type
As a general rule, the complete TIMKEN bearing number is either marked on the outside diameter or on the inner ring face (e.g., SM1203K). This number, plus the appropriate suffix letter if applicable, constitutes the full bearing number (e.g., SM 1203KB).

Sealed Type
In some cases, the complete bearing number is marked on the seal cap. In others, an identifying number is marked on the seal cap. Although not the full bearing number, this marking will help identify the bearing type (e.g., RA100/R indicates the (G)RA-RR(B) Series; 1100/R indicates the (G)1100KRR(B) Series).
Note: On TIMKEN bearings with self-locking collars, only the collar number is stamped on the collar (e.g., S1008K). This is not a bearing number and is used only to order the collar. It is not used when ordering replacement bearings.

TIMKEN roller bearings

To identify: SPHERICAL ROLLER BEARINGS

The basic TIMKEN bearing number, plus any applicable modification codes, is marked on the outer ring face (e.g., 22315 VCF W33).

If the TIMKEN spherical roller bearing has a tapered inner ring bore, the letter K is marked on the inner ring face (in addition to the above outer ring face marking).

Replacement bearings, if straight bore, should be ordered by specifying bearing number plus the suffix nomenclature marked on outside face (e.g., 22315 VCF W33).

Replacement bearings, if a tapered bore, should be ordered as described above, except include the suffix “K” following basic bearing number (e.g., 22315 K VCF W33).

Note: Letter symbols marked on recessed pads on ring faces are not part of bearing nomenclature and therefore not relevant to replacement bearing number identification.

To identify: CYLINDRICAL ROLLER BEARINGS

The TIMKEN bearing number, plus radial clearance symbol and other applicble modification codes, is marked on the outer or inner ring faces as follows:

For TIMKEN cylindrical roller bearing types NU, NIU, NJ, NIJ, NT, NIT Series, the inner ring is marked (e.g. 160NIU92R3).

For types NN, NIN, NF, NIF, NP, NIP Series, the outer ring is marked (e.g., 160NN92R3).

To identify: TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS

The TIMKEN bearing number(see: TIMKEN inch bearings part-numbering system, TIMKEN metric bearings part-numbering systems), plus modificaton code, is marked on the outer ring (cup) face and inner ring (cone) face (e.g., 17116D as follows:

For types TS and TDI, the outer ring (cup) face is marked.

For types TDO, TDOC, the inner ring (cone) face is marked.

TIMKEN needle roller bearings

To identify: NEEDLE ROLLER AND CAGE RADIAL ASSEMBLY

As general rule, there are no identifiable markings on needle roller and cage radial assemblies to indicate the bearing part number. Parts are specified by bore diameter, outside diameter, and width (e.g. K24x28x10H).

To identify: STUD TYPE TRACK ROLLERS

The complete bearing part number is marked on the stud face or stamped on the face of the outer ring (e.g. KRE22.2RS). Yoke type track rollers (without stud, not shown) have the part stamped on the face of the inner or outer ring.

To identify: NEEDLE ROLLER THRUST BEARINGS

As general rule, there are no identifiable markings on needle roller and cage radial assemblies to indicate the bearing part number. Parts are specified by bore diameter and outside diameter (e.g. AXK1024).

To identify: COMBINATION BEARINGS

As general rule, there are no identifiable markings on combination bearings to indicate the bearing part number. Parts are specified by the product series and bore diameter (e.g. RAXZ510).

To identify: DRAWN CUP NEEDLE ROLLER BEARINGS AND DRAWN CUP ROLLER CLUTCHES

The complete bearing part number is stamped on the face of the outer ring (e.g. HK1412, FCL-10-K). Also, on clutch assemblies, the mounted clutch assembly engages when the housing is rotated relative to the shaft in the direction of the arrow and the word LOCK stamped on the outer ring.

To identify: NEEDLE/CYLINDRICAL ROLLERS

As general rule, there are no identifiable markings on loose rollers to indicate the part number. They are packaged in bulk or in strips. Loose rollers are specified by the product series, end geometry, diameter, and nominal length (e.g. NRO.B 1.5x11.8 G2).

TIMKEN thrust bearings

To identify: THRUST BEARINGS

There are four basic designs of thrust bearings: ball, spherical roller, cylindrical roller and tapered roller.

All have assembly numbers marked on one or more components of the bearing.

TIMKEN thrust ball bearings

TIMKEN thrust spherical roller bearings

TIMKEN thrust cylindrical roller bearings

TIMKEN thrust tapered roller bearings

TIMKEN housed units

To identify: BALL BEARING PILLOW BLOCKS AND FLANGED UNITS

The TIMKEN pillow block bearings is identified by a plastic or metal tag on the unit. All housed units are factory equipped with this tag. This identification number is the bearing housing assembly number which can be ordered from this catalog (e.g., RAK 1).

If the tag is removed from the housed unit, measure the bolt hole center dimensions (J), and (on pillow blocks) base to center height (H) . Also, note any number cast or stamping on the housing. On some sizes, check the bottom of the unit for this number. This is the “housing only” number and can be used along with the bearing number (see ball bearing description) to identify the two parts that make up the housed unit.

To identify: SPHERICAL ROLLER BEARING PILLOW BLOCK

The end cap and/or base housing is marked with a pillow block housing number (e.g., SAF517). The pillow block assembly number is closely affiliated with the housing number (e.g., SAF 22517). Here, pillow block assembly uses the pillow block housing SAF517.