This is sort of a continuation of this thread... https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-bearings.html
...but since I searched the forum (including explicitly looking through the FAQs, DIYs & How To's), and read through a bunch of threads and could not find the info, I figured I would ask this separately for any future searchers to hopefully easily find it.

(I found some recommendations for wheel bearings, but didn't want to assume it was the same.)
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• What make(s) & model(s)* of differential carrier side and pinion bearings do you recommend?
• What make(s) & model(s)* would you suggest to steer clear of?
• Does it matter between Chrysler and Dana differentials, or among types/styles of differential (e.g., LSD, open) or gear ratios?

*I ask it this way rather than just saying "brand" because, for example, ACME brand might make the ACME SubPar line of bearings and the ACME Super Max Ultimate Platinum Premium Plus HD line of bearings, and you might swear by the SubPar but think the other are garbage.
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(I assume the answer to the last question is "No," but you know what happens when you make an assumption.)

 

Same old same old: I'd avoid Chinese.

The last kit I got for a TJ (Motive, probably?) had Japanese bearings.....maybe Koyo? Good enough for me.

 

I typically find a differential rebuild kit on eBay (needed two when I went from 3.55 gears to 4.10 gears in the front & rear Dana 60 diffs). The one I used had Koyo bearings and are still in-use in the truck today after several years.

 

I stick with Koyo, Timken or Spicer

 

I was coming back to explicitly ask about Timken.

I already have a gasket, pinion seal, spindle nut, gear marking compound, and some of other extras that seem to come in the rebuild kits; and I don't need any ring gear bolts. I'm not putting in new gears, just pretty sure I'm going to replace the bearing since I'm this far in.

So I was going to compare prices of the rebuild kits to just getting the bearings separately & individually. So far, most of the places I have found to potentially source individual bearings seem to have Timken, then brands I don't recognize (e.g., BCA, SKF, National, US Standard Gear).

 

SKF is also a good brand.

 

I've used Timken, BCA, SKF and National. No issues with any of those to-date.

 

I've never used BCA but they're well respected in the world of unit bearings like on the front of 2nd Gens for wheel bearing assys.

Timken quality is all over these days. They seem to source from lots of countries including China. Allegedly SKF is now doing the same.

I wouldn't worry much, differential carrier bearing failure is rare. Pinion bearings do fail at a higher rate but still not THAT common until mileage is way up there.

Basically OP, I think you're over-thinking it. I'd still avoid Chinese if possible but beyond that, run it!

 

I have been accused of that a time or two in my life!

If you recall from my previous threads, this is my first foray into a differential, so I am both (extra-)cautious and trying to learn. If this were my sun visor clip, I wouldn't fret about it; but considering that even though I am now way more comfortable with getting into the differential, and could hopefully get in there much quicker next time, I really don't want to have to take it apart again any time soon due to a bad bearing.

But with the rest of your sentence... ...coupled with your earlier sentence... ...it seems to me that in this particular point I might not be over-thinking it too much.

 

An update:

I found my part numbers from a few different bearing manufacturers, then added the price of individually buying only the carrier side bearings & races (x2), the inner & outer pinion bearings & races, and a crush sleeve. I did this on Rock Auto and on Summit Racing.

The total of just those 9 items purchased separately ended up being almost exactly the same price (Timken @Rock Auto) to $30 more (BCA @Summit) when compared to the Standard rebuild kit from the same manufacturer. The Standard kit contains those items PLUS a pinion seal, pinion nut, some gasket maker, maybe a paper gasket, some gear marking compound & a brush.

And at Summit Racing, the total of the individual items was even more than the Master kit, which includes the Standard kit items PLUS ring gear bolts and pinion shims. (Granted, at least for Timken, Summit - even with the free shipping over a certain amount - was pricier than Rock Auto with the shipping.

(So it seems in this case, the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts.)

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After further comparison of other brands and other sources from which I could order, I found a Richmond Master kit that has Koyo bearings with free shipping from Summit, for less than the same item from Rock Auto before shipping. Considering that I only need the bearings & races and crush sleeve, even if the other items in the kit were garbage I'll still be coming out ahead.

And it goes to show that just because Store A is higher than Store B for one brand or multiple brands, doesn't necessarily mean they're higher for everything. So if you're a penny-pincher like me, be sure to shop around.

Thanks again for all the insight!