Top 11 wheel bearing manufacturers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The hum from a worn wheel bearing is uncomfortable, since it is clearly audible in the cabin, even with the windows closed. First, the sound appears on the highway when driving at a speed of 80-120 km / h, and then it is already heard in the city at 30-40 km / h. If nothing is done, the hum will intensify, and gradually the wheel will literally begin to dangle, which is already unsafe. For those who are puzzled by the search for spare parts for repair and elimination of this problem, our rating of the best manufacturers of wheel bearings will come in handy, which will help you make the right choice. The material takes into account the quality of products and reviews of motorists, as well as car service masters. You just have to pick up the part by code or size.

Rating of the best wheel bearing manufacturers

Nomination	a place	Name of product	rating
Rating of the best wheel bearing manufacturers	1	SNR	5.0
	2	SKF	4.9
	3	FAG	4.8
	4	NSK	4.7
	5	NTN	4.6
	6	Timken	4.5
	7	Kowo	4.4
	8	Meyle	4.3
	9	SPZ-Group	4.2
	10	TRIALLI	4.1
	11	VBF	4.0

SNR

Rating: 5.0

In the first place in the rating is a French manufacturer of wheel bearings, which began its activity in 1916. At first the plant was located in Anessy. Initially, the brand was called SRO and did not stand out from the others. In 1946, the company was bought out by an automobile company Renault, changing its name to SNR, and everything changed. It is now the most recognizable brand in Europe. The range of bearings includes spare parts for hubs, gearboxes, clutches, gearboxes. A common commodity are ASB wheel bearings, which are produced up to 80,000 per month. Drivers in reviews praise the products of this concern for the fact that even with the appearance of a slight hum, the bearing can last more than one thousand kilometers. This gives a margin of time to choose a convenient moment for repairs.

We put the manufacturer in the first place in the ranking, as it has the largest girth of the European market. Hub products are of such high quality that they are installed directly at the plant by concluding an agreement with the concern. According to statistics, SNR bearings are found in 8 out of 10 European cars. Such a scale clearly indicates quality.

Advantages

• bearings of all generations (1, 2, 3);
• there are sizes for different hubs (diameters from 16 to 200 mm);
• long service life;
• manufactured in France.

disadvantages

• relatively high cost;
• there are many fakes on the market.

SKF

Rating: 4.9

In second place in the ranking is the Swedish manufacturer of deep groove ball bearings SKF. The company was founded by engineer Sven Wingquist in 1907 when he introduced his first bearing. Three years later, the company already employed 325 people. Subsidiaries gradually emerged in the UK. Interestingly, the automobile plant Volvo was created precisely by SKF top managers, and later was able to split off and become an independent enterprise. In addition to wheel bearings, the manufacturer produces oil seals, lubricants and seals. Drivers in the reviews like that the company manufactures wheel bearings together with hubs, where there is already an ABS sensor.

The manufacturer was added by us to the rating due to the widest dealer network in the world. In addition to more than 100 enterprises, it has many representative offices, the addresses of which are indicated on the official website. This helps to find a direct supplier close to where you live and not overpay when buying from retail auto shops. Such an opportunity will interest large service stations and enterprises with a large vehicle fleet.

Advantages

• there are rare wheel bearings with a flange;
• own research centers;
• offices and factories around the world, including Africa, USA, Asia, Europe and Australia;
• there are bearings with built-in sensors.

disadvantages

• the outer diameter of wheel bearings is limited to 95 mm;
• high price;
• save lubrication in sealed bearings.

FAG

Rating: 4.8

The German manufacturer FAG, which began its activities in 1883, entered the top three of our rating. The concern produces a wide range of products, including spindle and radial bearings, withdrawal sleeves, roller and spherical joints. In total, the company has 25 enterprises, so the country of manufacture on the packaging may be: Italy, Portugal, India, Austria or Korea. 84% of customer reviews recommend this manufacturer's wheel bearings. In addition to the hinge itself, a new hub bolt and four nuts from the levers are placed in the box. This allows the unit to be fully serviced so that there is no backlash or loose connections.

We added the manufacturer to the rating for two reasons. Firstly, it produces wheel bearings in high quality packaging. The part is sealed in polyethylene, so that the grease does not dry out, even if it lies on the counter for a long time. A thick cardboard box protects the part if dropped during transport. Secondly, FAG uses a plastic tool for truck wheel bearings to make it easier to press in the part.

Advantages

• high-quality packaging;
• is an original part on some foreign cars (Nissan, Maybah, Volkswagen);
• durable work;
• proven reputation.

disadvantages

• inconvenient hub bolt for an internal hexagon included;
• high level of counterfeits;
• sometimes very difficult to install.

NSK

Rating: 4.7

The manufacturer from Japan continues our rating. The company was founded in 1916 and now has production facilities in 55 locations around the world. Most of the factories are concentrated in Japan, the USA, Asia and Europe. The range includes cylindrical roller, spherical roller and rolling shaft bearings. There is a separate line of super-precision products. The manufacturer has MOS 14001 and 9001 certificates. Car service technicians in reviews praise the Japanese manufacturer's wheel bearings for their durability, but at the same time they note that a long service life is possible when the part is pressed in, and not hammered with a hammer.

In our opinion, the manufacturer deserves a place in the ranking of the best because of the achievements in development. Every year he spends 100,000 euros on a laboratory where new types of wheel bearings are invented and tested. The designers managed to reduce the weight of the clip without losing strength, which improved the competitive qualities of the product. The concern's hub products are designed for high speeds and are resistant to dirt.

Advantages

• meets high quality standards and is accompanied by certificates;
• 55 factories around the world;
• production of 1.25 billion wheel bearings per year;
• spend 100 million euros annually on research and development.

disadvantages

• a lot of fakes;
• high price;
• for passenger cars only.

NTN

Rating: 4.6

The fifth in the ranking is the manufacturer from Japan. It produces wheel bearings in a blue-white package, which is famous all over the world. Manufacturing facilities are located in many countries – there are 32 factories in total. The company produces wheel bearings, timing rollers, clutches, transmissions, suspension bearings. Separately, the firm produces miniature hinges for printers and scanners. In 2008, the company acquired 51% of the French SNR and has now combined Japanese and European expertise, capturing an even larger market share for sales. Drivers in the reviews are satisfied with the sufficient amount of grease inside the wheel bearing and a reliable rubber seal that protects the balls from dust.

Our experts have included the manufacturer in the rating of the best due to its reliability. In the Japanese car industry, this company supplies wheel bearings directly to the conveyor for brands such as: Nissan, Lexus, Toyota, Mazda. If the manufacturers of such famous cars are not afraid to install them in the stream, then you can be sure of the quality. But there are a lot of fakes on the market (cannot be distinguished by packaging or metal), so they should be bought only in trusted stores.

Advantages

• a wide range of;
• the latest technologies are used in the manufacture;
• 50 offices for making direct purchases;
• 32 factories in Taiwan, USA, Canada, Japan and Germany.

disadvantages

• high price;
• no outer diameter over 95 mm;
• there are often fakes that are difficult to distinguish.

Timken

Rating: 4.5

The sixth place in our rating is given to the American manufacturer Timken. The company was founded in Ohio in 1889. Its founder is Henry Timken, after whom the name was chosen. This company was the first to install a roller bearing in a horse carriage, which contributed to the creation of more reliable hubs. Now the concern has 60 factories around the world, including: Canada, Romania, Poland, South Africa, Netherlands, USA. In addition to the production facilities where wheel bearings are manufactured, the company owns 12 steel production plants. Customer reviews show that these are high-quality products, trustworthy, but in the CIS countries, they are strongly displaced by European and Asian products on the market, so the percentage of sales is small.

We have added the manufacturer to the rating of the best due to the large number of wheel bearing sizes. In total, the company's catalog contains more than 200 options. This allows the joint to be matched to the hub of the rarest or longest discontinued vehicle.

Advantages

• a wide range of goods;
• there are roller wheel bearings for trucks (with a diameter of 140 mm);
• dealer network in 27 countries of the world;
• 12 own factories for the production of steel for rollers and clips.

disadvantages

• high price;
• strange original gray packaging (the box is often much larger than the product itself).

Kowo

Rating: 4.4

The rating of the best Japanese manufacturer Koyo continues, which started producing wheel bearings in 1921. Now the corporation is owned by JTEKT, so this word is always added to the name on the package. There are 33 factories operating around the world, and the number of manufactured products is the 5th in the world in terms of volume. Buyers like the reviews that the wheel bearings from this manufacturer are considered OE Toyota. Some of them even come in branded packaging with the Toyota logo. If you want to equip your Japanese car with original parts during repairs and save some money, then buy Koyo in a separate blue or white package.

The manufacturer is included in the rating of the best due to public trust. In a large-scale vote among motorists at the forum, where 10 firms producing wheel bearings were represented, this one won 80% of the votes. Most of the buyers in the CIS countries trust Koyo, which speaks of the universal recognition of quality.

Advantages

• 33 factories all over the world;
• 5th in the world in terms of production;
• increased reliability;
• there are cylindrical, spherical and needle bearings.

disadvantages

• the maximum outer size of the clip is 110 mm;
• high price;
• difficult to install correctly yourself.

Meyle

Rating: 4.3

The eighth position in the ranking of the best is given to the German manufacturer Meyle. The company was founded in 1958. Its founder is Wolf Gertner, a former professional race car driver. At first, the company specialized only in packaging and exporting spare parts from German cars to Latin America, where there was a clear demand for repair parts. By 1962, a subsidiary was already opened in the USA, and then in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. But the firm was still only a supplier of goods from other brands. In 1995, the step from packer to manufacturer was taken and the own brand Meyle was established. Subsidiaries for the production of wheel bearings have already been opened in France, Great Britain and China.

Although the company's experience loses to other manufacturers, we added it to the rating of the best due to the optimization of spare parts. The firm takes as a basis the drawings of original parts of branded cars and modifies them, eliminating factory weaknesses. As a result, the buyer receives a product that fully matches the size of the seat to the hub, but is characterized by a reinforced rim or an alloy of rollers with increased wear resistance.

Advantages

• The University of St. Gallen has twice awarded the manufacturer the Top Job award;
• own laboratory for quality control;
• relatively affordable cost;
• there are bearings immediately assembled with the hub;
• a wide range of products that are ideal instead of original ones.

disadvantages

• less experience in the production of wheel bearings;
• the hinge can work 6,000 km, and maybe 60,000 km;
• some of the wheel bearings are manufactured in China.

SPZ-Group

Rating: 4.2

In ninth place in the rating is a domestic manufacturer of wheel bearings located in Samara. The SPZ-Group brand hides the Samara Bearing Plant. It manufactures products for the hubs of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles, 35% of which are initially installed on the cars of Avtovaz. Therefore, for Lada owners with these types of drives, it will not be difficult to buy original wheel bearings. The manufacturer manufactures single-row type hinges with spherical rollers, angular contact, tapered and needle. Separators are made of steel or PCB. Such products are designed for rotation at a speed of up to 7000 rpm and a static load capacity of up to 52 kN. According to customer reviews, the hinges last up to 95,000-100,000 km.

We added the manufacturer to the rating due to the release of very large wheel bearing diameters, where there are outer dimensions of 150, 210 and even 230 mm. It is a great choice for a truck. The letter 'A' in the index indicates increased load capacity.

Advantages

• wide range of wheel bearings in size (inner and outer diameters);
• clear marking of the number on the case (laser);
• nursing up to 100,000 km;
• there are roller, radial-thrust, tapered types.

disadvantages

• not the cheapest price, given domestic production;
• weak cardboard packaging (may crumble during long-term transportation).

TRIALLI

Rating: 4.1

The tenth place in the rating was taken by the manufacturer Trialli, which means 'triple union' in Italian. The company emerged from the merger of three little-known auto parts companies. Now this concern includes already 9 enterprises from different countries. Each of them is independent, has its own leadership, but the release of products under a single brand allows you to cover a larger sales market and achieve fame faster. The manufacturer specializes in the manufacture of brake systems, transmissions, steering, wheel bearings, gaskets and repair kits. Brake drums are produced in Poland, cylinders are produced in China, friction linings in India.

There are various reviews on the Internet regarding the quality of the wheel bearings of this company, but we have included the manufacturer in the rating due to the affordable price of the goods. If the hubs are buzzing, and there is not much money for repairs, then it will be quite possible to travel the next year with these hinges. But they should not be installed for commercial vehicles.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• there are hinges assembled with a hub;
• high-quality packaging;
• there is a wide selection of clip sizes.

disadvantages

• relatively short service life;
• weak metal of the outer race;
• the beating hinge may be caught.

VBF

Rating: 4.0

Another domestic manufacturer VBF completes our rating. The trademark belongs to the Vologda Bearing Plant. This is the largest domestic enterprise that manufactures wheel bearings of all design groups. 65% of hinges in Avtovaz cars are produced at this plant. The nomenclature of JSC VPZ contains more than 1700 sizes of roller and ball bearings. The company is actively experimenting with materials and configuration, for which it operates its own laboratory. The manufacturer has registered patents. The products are accompanied by certificates of conformity to national and international standards. Customer reviews show that it is possible to buy wheel bearings in Russia from this brand in almost any city.

Our experts have included the manufacturer in the rating of the best, since its quality is significantly superior to Chinese products. If you need to replace the wheel bearing, and there is no money for a German or Japanese product, then this is the best alternative. In addition, they are recommended by the masters at the service station. The average lifespan of the hinge on domestic roads is 85,000 km.

Advantages

• there are standard sizes up to 180 mm;
• wide dealer network;
• well suited to European, Asian and American cars;
• manufactures all design groups of wheel bearings.

disadvantages

• overpriced relative to other domestic brands;
• surprisingly, there are also fakes here.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.