Propshaft bearings - thoughts on potention source of proplem and potential solution.

I have been reading the many threads on propshaft bearings and I started wondering if the issue some people are having is not only the quality of third party bearings but also the size of them.

From what I read, GKN propshaft bearings mounts come with FAG bearings, (thanks Hippo for all the pictures). Yet based on my research so far, only the FAG bearings are of the correct width.

Most third party bearings are 2.5 mm too narrow. Maybe "cheap Freelander Bearings Kits" use bearings that are too narrow?



FAG Bearings 539860.R20.R28
Inside Diameter 30 mm
Outside Diameter 55 mm
width 15.5 mm

"Standard size" 6006.2RSR
Inside Diameter 30 mm
Outside Diameter 55 mm
width 13 mm



I wonder if anyone fitted their propshaft with known brand bearings (NSK, SKF, Timken ..) and still had the rumbling noise.


I would be curious as this has to potential to solve a source of rumbling noise for many freelander drivers.




Fag bearings information take from
http://www.schaeffler.com/remotemed...ogue/downloads_2/price_list_fag_aam_it_it.pdf

Both SKF & FAG do a 30 X 55 X 19mm double sealed deep groove bearing at the same price £21.17 ea. + VAT.

The above brands are highly repected in engineering circles and long established.

As already posted, there is also a 13mm wide version which is cheaper but remember that the fixing holes for the carrier mounts are slotted and therefore the 19mm wide bearings could be fitted.

There are loads of different bearing types. The fag bearings could be roller bearings rather than the cheaper ball bearings.
Even ball bearings come in different load/ speed ratings. It should be easy enough to find a bearing that exceeds both the load/ speed requirements.

Irishrover said:

Both SKF & FAG do a 30 X 55 X 19mm double sealed deep groove bearing at the same price £21.17 ea. + VAT.

The above brands are highly repected in engineering circles and long established.

As already posted, there is also a 13mm wide version which is cheaper but remember that the fixing holes for the carrier mounts are slotted and therefore the 19mm wide bearings could be fitted.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that info. It looks as though I am going to look into a wider bearing for sure. I think I will try to get some bearings mounts from a scrap yard.

I am new to all this, but I think I found the correct SKF part number:
63006-2RS1

If I get some old mounts, I will invest in 19mm bearings and report back for sure.

Nodge68 said:

There are loads of different bearing types. The fag bearings could be roller bearings rather than the cheaper ball bearings.
Even ball bearings come in different load/ speed ratings. It should be easy enough to find a bearing that exceeds both the load/ speed requirements.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, I must be doing something wrong because I am unable to find the specification on the FAG bearing anywhere. Google results are pretty bare.

Do you know where to find the specification on that model of FAG bearings?

zefrench said:

Thanks for the reply, I must be doing something wrong because I am unable to find the specification on the FAG bearing anywhere. Google results are pretty bare.

Do you know where to find the specification on that model of FAG bearings?

Click to expand...

If you can't find any reference to the Fag bearings, it's likely they are custom parts. They are also used in some BMW cars as prop as the centre support bearing. It's odd they are wider than the more common ball bearings so maybe they use rollers instead?