So, my 2007 GL450 front diff bearings are failing. I wish someone would get these two guys together and state the facts so I know which bearings to buy. I guess I can just go by their Ebay reputations.

 

I tore the front diff apart after carefully trying to diagnose the noise problem and convincing myself that it was the diff bearings. All of the bearings were perfect and there were no particles in the fluid so, because I had already received the new ones from mercbenzspecialist I installed new carrier bearings only. I'm now pretty certain that the cause of my front end noise, which was getting scary loud, was coming from a failed left front wheel bearing. I hope to get everything back together on Sunday and I hope the noise is gone.

I was totally losing confidence in my 2007 GL450 but now that I know the diff was not going bad I feel a little more confident in the car for the future.

 

hope the wheel bearing solves the problem

sorry you had to take the diff apart for no reason

keep us up to date on whether this solves the problem

 

Don't get me wrong I feel your pain but anyone should drain the fluid and find the metal bearing material before wasting their time and money tearing into the diff. It can't make noise without a bad bearing and you can't have a bad bearing without metal shavings in the fluid. Good luck with the wheel bearing.

 

Did any anyone else who removed their front diff deal with the drive shaft corroded to the pionon collar. Could only get mine out by pulling cv joint a part. Expect the transfer case side is also corroded in and changing drive shaft will not be that easy. Plan to reassemble joint but would like to know if any as successfully done that?

 

What is the current availability of genuine parts for this job?

I find online a number of suppliers that sell Timken bearings kits, but in their pics no holograms are shown, which to me gives a 99% assurance that their bearings are fake.

With respect to authenticity, one should see a sticker with a hologram and a running serial number which is also engraved in the bearing, right?

What other signs are currently used to determine authenticity?

 

1. Nobody in their right mind would ever waste their money to tool up to copy this set of bearings as the volume is so low.
2. There are no holograms on Timken packets.
3. The part number may be stamped on the cup and cone, or it may be etched. Even Timken may make the cups and cones in different plants, so you can find each marked differently.
4. The large end of the Timken rollers are recessed in the centre. Most knock-offs have flat ends on the rollers, but this is not gospel.
5. If still in doubt, refer my point 1.

 

Mika,
Certainly looking on sites like Alibaba, with companies based in various parts of China,
you will definitely see some fake bearings for sale and they should be avoided.
Chinese companies will make any bearing, with the label and boxes of any country you'd like,
but yikes, how long would they last? And how long would a seller last selling such junk?
Rule of thumb, it's it too inexpensive to be possible, then likely it is. ie not possible.
The least expensive option is likely not the best option.

As far as the current availability of genuine parts for this job?
They certainly are available, here on this website benzexpert.com, or from the same seller on
ebay https://www.ebay.com/str/benzexpert
With 312 positive feedback from buyers this seller has the highest number of 100% positive feedbacks
from buyers of any of the other sellers online. Some will say they have the higher feedback in total,
but 1500 positive feedback for items purchased is meaningless.
You cannot receive negative feedback as a buyer, and what you buy doesn't say anything about your
reputation as a seller. I've put over a 100K miles on my front diff with bearings from this seller since repaired in 2014, and no problems since. Still going strong.

Regarding markings on the parts etc., there are no seals or such on the parts themselves,
(and never have been) just the mfg stamps, of where they are mfg'd, part numbers and perhaps date codes.
Aside from the holographic seal on the
boxes, there is a newer seal used by Timken that looks like this.
You can certainly verify this with Timken if you'd like. They have offices in just about any country,
and manufacturing facilities in just as many countries.

This thread has been chopped up and hacked to death by the moderators due to what was termed
"bearing wars" back in the day. Saying that 99% of the bearings out there are fake is definitely
not true.
If you'd like more info or have any questions, send me a PM or 'private message' through the board.
I've got a lot of experience with this thing, but I don't want to start another
"bearing war".

 

I contacted a local vendor that is an authorized importer of Timken bearings. They do stock all the needed bearing parts. Their prices are actually the same as the cheapest I have come across on ebay, and some 50% lower than those of "benzexpert".

I also contacted Timken for guidelines on how to tell a genuine bearing from fake. They replied only that one should buy from an authorized distributor...

As to my case, it appears that it is the wheel bearing after all. While driving and steering left-to-right, the noise gets louder and more quiet as vehicle's weight rocks from side to side. From the driver's seat the noise seemed to come from the middle of the car, but when sitting down on the passenger's seat, the noise comes from the passenger side. To be replaced tomorrow.

Fakes are manufactured of pretty much anything. I recently purchased a jacket by Arc'teryx (a high-end brand in sports garments) on ebay. It was a fake product, and I am waiting for Visa to reimburse. How could I tell it was a fake? I had a genuine one already in my closet... so much for "...low volumes..."