THE WHEEL-END SOURCING DESK
Source wheel hub assemblies with Timken Sourcing Desk
Bring an OE number, a vehicle application or a sample drawing. We help buyers turn those references into comparable quotes from suppliers in China.
01 / START WITH THE PART
What are you trying to source?
02 / DEFINE THE MATCH
What to send when a part number is only the start
Wheel hub assemblies
- Vehicle match
- Send the OE or cross-reference number, year, model, drivetrain, axle and side. Add the VIN through an agreed private channel if the trim or axle package remains unclear. If the order has 24 left and 24 right units, list two quote rows so the wheel speed sensor lead is checked for each side.
- Mounting interface
- Send hub flange and pilot dimensions in mm, spline details, bolt pattern and the installation hardware you expect in the box. For example, write a 5 × 114.3 mm pitch circle diameter (PCD) as five holes on a 114.3 mm circle.
- ABS interface
- Ask for the ABS encoder ring type and orientation, sensor connector and cable routing. Compare them with a drawing or a marked reference sample.
Bearings and service kits
- Envelope and seal
- List the bore, outside diameter and width in mm, seal lip arrangement and which face carries the encoder.
- Service procedure
- Provide the vehicle maker's installation procedure. For an adjustable bearing, clarify the bearing preload or endplay procedure before accepting a kit.
03 / FOLLOW THE ORDER
From brief to shipment
Clarify
Separate confirmed details from open checks. Freeze a drawing or sample revision for the quote.
Compare
Align SKU, kit contents, packaging and the Incoterm with its named place. Ask suppliers to mark exclusions.
Verify
Coordinate a sample and agree inspection checkpoints with the buyer. Record approval or rejection against the revision.
Coordinate
Reconcile carton marks, quantities and shipment documents with the supplier and forwarder before handoff.
04 / BUYER APPLICATIONS
Choose the checklist for your buying team
05 / KNOW WHO PROVIDES THE PROOF
Evidence before commitment
Supplier records
Request the legal entity, production site and certificate scope before shortlisting. An IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 certificate describes a management system within its scope.
Sample check
Record flange and pilot measurements, sensor orientation and kit contents against the approved drawing. Mark any deviations before confirming the purchase.
Document scope
Match any applicable report or approval to the actual SKU, revision and market. Ask who issued it and which method and conditions it covers.
Inspection brief
Agree how to measure runout, how to identify the lot, and who can release or hold it. The inspector records the results.
Quote comparison
Compare pieces against complete kits only after listing every component. Flag any separate tooling or inspection fee.
Shipment handoff
Ask for a packing list and carton labels that trace each SKU. Confirm the consignee and named place against the agreed quote.
06 / COMMON BUYING QUESTIONS
Before you send the RFQ
Is an OE cross reference enough to place an order?
Use it to start the search. Confirm the axle, side, bolt pattern and ABS interface against the vehicle application and drawing before approving a match.
Should I quote an integrated hub or a serviceable bearing?
Follow the platform's service procedure first. An integrated unit limits field assembly steps. A serviceable design can retain the original hub if inspection confirms it is usable and the shop has the right tools.
How do I compare an existing part with a custom request?
Compare the existing part to your drawing and confirm its actual availability. For a custom revision, ask who owns tooling, which sample stages apply, and when the supplier can confirm MOQ and lead time.
Can wheel and tire orders share a container?
Ask for carton dimensions, weights and stacking limits by SKU. Let the forwarder review the loading plan and set handling requirements before quoting mixed-container loading.
Start with the part you need to match
Send your part list, destination and the questions you need each supplier to answer.