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Use the catalog when you know the general family. Copy the item name into your brief and add the vehicle, axle, side and any part markings you can read.
Open catalogBUYING GUIDE
Prepare a wheel-end sourcing brief with Timken
Timken Sourcing Desk independently coordinates procurement in China. A part number can open the conversation. A drawing, application and destination help suppliers respond to the same request.
Submit a sourcing brief
Use the RFQ when you have an OE cross reference, a drawing revision or an existing sample. State whether you need a single item, a kit or an order with several SKUs.
Make the request specific enough to compare
Match the hub or bearing
Provide OE cross reference, model year, drivetrain, axle and side. For a hub, add hub flange and pilot dimensions, spline count and ABS encoder ring type. For a bearing, give bore, OD and width in mm, plus the seal lip and installation hardware. Write all three dimensions explicitly, for example 42 mm bore × 80 mm OD × 42 mm width. Use the same format for dimensions from your reference drawing.
Define wheel fitment
For alloy or steel wheels, include rim diameter and rim width in inches, pitch circle diameter (PCD) and center bore in mm, wheel offset (ET), bolt seat, load rating, vehicle, finish and destination market. A sample input such as 5 × 114.3 mm PCD and ET35 is incomplete until the center bore, rim width and load rating are filled in.
Describe tire duty
List each tire size, load index, speed rating, tread pattern, duty cycle and quantity. For specialty duty, identify ground conditions, load and operating speed. Specify the port and target market. If your size list says 225/45R18 and load index 95, add the required speed rating and identify the vehicle or operating duty for that line.
Set the acceptance basis
Agree drawing revision, sample approval and lot traceability. For valves, fasteners or other accessories, confirm the platform, dimensions, thread, material, finish and pack count.
Resolve the choices that change the order
Compare both formats only if the vehicle maker supports them for the same application. Ask each supplier to list the complete contents and identify which drawing or reference their quote uses.
| Check | Integrated hub | Serviceable bearing |
|---|---|---|
| Quote unit | Assembly per wheel position | Bearing or full kit with seals and retaining parts |
| Mounting dimensions | Hub flange, pilot and bolt pattern, in mm | Bore, OD and width, in mm |
| Speed signal | Encoder or connector layout per axle and side | Encoder face and seal orientation if present |
| Installation work | Check fasteners and the torque procedure | Confirm press tooling, bearing preload or endplay as specified |
| Sample acceptance | Measure flange runout per drawing and check sensor fit | Check dimensions and inspect the reused mating surfaces |
For a hub flange runout check, ask the appointed inspector to identify the sample revision, support the sample on the specified datum, place the indicator at the radius defined by the drawing and record the full sweep in mm. Record the fixture, measuring instrument, acceptance limit and sample ID with the result. Set the limit from the buyer-approved drawing for that SKU. In an illustrative reading, a dial indicator that sweeps from 0.01 mm to 0.04 mm has a total indicated runout of 0.03 mm. This gives a value to compare with the drawing limit.
Record supplier system evidence such as IATF 16949 by legal entity and site. Confirm any product test record separately by SKU, method and market. For example, ask the compliance owner whether a replacement wheel falls within UNECE R124 scope before requesting evidence.
An existing SKU may avoid a new tooling step when the approved interface and kit match. Ask the supplier to confirm availability by SKU. A custom revision may address connector routing, finish or package content but adds sample approval, possible tooling ownership questions and a separate MOQ decision. Compare both options on the same named Incoterm and ask for a lead time after the requirements are reviewed.