Genuine Spicer Diff Repair Kit Bearing Variety and Quality for Jeep Re-gear

[mphilleo]

After a lot of delays, I received the Spicer parts for my Jeep JKU Wrangler re-gear. There was a small variation in labeling, but the stickers look correct based on what other dealers have said about labeling variations. I was surprised to see the packaging was pretty decent, considering some folks mentioned it being inadequate.

I looked through everything to make sure all the parts were accounted for. There was a variety of Timken US, Koyo Japan, Koyo US, and one outlier; the carrier bearings in the D30 kit were Iljin Korea. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I've read Iljin makes bearings for a handful of OE suppliers, including Timken. This corroborates stories that Spicer differential repair kits sometimes contain a mishmash of bearings.

It's a good thing I bought the front differential rebuild kit, because my loaded front carrier came with only one carrier bearing (a Timken US) instead of two. It's not really a huge deal due to redundance in parts, but if I wanted to get my other bearing, is there going to be a big quality difference between Timken and Iljin Korea? My understanding is that Iljin is the manufacturer for OE unit bearings in the front hub assemblies on JK Wranglers. Anyway, here's some pictures for reference too.

Paging @Kestas for good measure. 😅

 

[Chris142]

I don't think timkin would send out junk with their kit. When I had to rebuild mine last year timkin was not available. I had to use koyo bearings.

 

[PontiacHO]

I’ve used bearing kits from Yukon that turned out to be Timpken. I’ve read on the forums that Timpken isn’t the same company anymore. You are probably good to go.

 

[drtyler]

I’ve used bearing kits from Yukon that turned out to be Timpken. I’ve read on the forums that Timpken isn’t the same company anymore. You are probably good to go.

If I received Timpken parts, they would immediately be returned.

Probably keep the Timken ones though

OP, I wouldn’t worry about the South Korean bearing.

 

[PontiacHO]

If I received Timpken parts, they would immediately be returned.

Probably keep the Timken ones though

OP, I wouldn’t worry about the South Korean bearing.

Sorry. Misspelled.

 

[mphilleo]

Thanks for the feedback, folks. I'm wrestling with RockAuto (I know, I know) on trying to get their system to recognize I'm missing that other carrier bearing. In the meantime, I think the Iljin is probably fine. It seems like these days "you get what you get" even if you try to buy the right name parts. Normally it's not a huge deal, but since I'm paying $1,400 labor for this job I want to make sure that I don't have any problems with parts quality.

 

[PontiacHO]

Since I can’t spell you can take this with a grain of salt…
New pinion nut for final assembly used just for that is a must.
I’ve seen techs use the old nuts and have them loosen later. That’s catastrophic damage.
Or
I’ve seen techs use the new nut for setup and final assembly. Same outcome.

 

[mphilleo]

Since I can’t spell you can take this with a grain of salt…
New pinion nut for final assembly used just for that is a must.
I’ve seen techs use the old nuts and have them loosen later. That’s catastrophic damage.
Or
I’ve seen techs use the new nut for setup and final assembly. Same outcome.

I think between all the kits I bought and the gears coming with their own hardware, I have 4 or 5 fresh pinion nuts to split between front and rear! 🤣

 

[PontiacHO]

I preferred using an axle to rotate the ring and pinion when checking the gear pattern. Seemed to give a better pattern mark than turning the pinion. In my opinion…