I was told by a major Mini parts supplier in Sydney this week that the good Timken original thrust bearing 3W5-8 (current Timken number IR-27) is now NLA.
Anybody else heard this?

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Could well be the case. I haven't been able to get them for a few months now . I do remember about 20 years ago the same thing happened and all you could get was those crappy things that are still around now.

There was another thrust or angular thrust bearing that I used to use with good success. I'll have to remember and look it up for you (and me too!).

It a 5203ZZ. Don't try the sealed version (RS) as it won't stand up to the RPMs. It fits as a 'floater' just as Leyland did on some models and when loaded will self centralise. I think you'll also find it about 10% of the price of the 3W5/8.

Looks very similar to the cheaper ones we use at the moment from the pictures.

Did you mean it floats as in the inner diameter is larger than the bearing carrier?

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Kit6932

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

[quote="Mick"]Looks very similar to the cheaper ones we use at the moment from the pictures.

Did you mean it floats as in the inner diameter is larger than the bearing carrier?

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Kit6932[/quote]

Looks similar but nothing like it. These will take around 1.5 tonne side thrust at 10000 RPM. What sort of clutch diaphram are you running?

On the floating - yes.

I'm all for a cheaper and better thrust bearing....I use a blue spot I think it is...nothing harsh.

So do you need to create a circlip retainer in the standard carrier...Or just source a later floating type?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

If you can find a retaining clip to fit the use it, but I never did. I just put a small dolop of grease on the pin just to hold it in there for assembly.

DON'T use too much grease.

Thanks GT.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

No worries Doc

The floating type (Self-centering) throw-out "Carriers" originally had a "Speed-Clip" to retain the bearing

without "Something" holding the bearing away from the clutch diaphram it will remain loose, in contact with the diaph thrust plate & continue to run while not using the clutch,,,basically causing it to wear out prematurely ... especially around left hand corners (if you know what i mean),,, so if it were me, well i would use some form of retaining devise

My dad used to make us drill the end of the carriers & thread them & use a suitable countersunk type washer with a tapered (countersunk) type screw & make the thread bottom in the hole so it didn`t tighten onto the bearing,,, that way it retained the bearing without making it fixed solid,,, so it could continue as being a fully floating (self-centering) bearing

doing things this way also allows you fit a flat washer in behind the bearing if/when you need to sort a better starting position for your lever.

Oh & while i`m here--->>> Please don`t bend clutch arms people,,, you are only asking for premature wear in the clutch slave cyl with the push rod being on an angle to it, effectively cocking the slave cyl piston

Use the """flat washer behind the throw-out-bearing""" trick instead

I can get some 3w5-8 bearings from England but i don`t think i`ll buy them,,, i`d prefer to keep my arm & my leg right where they are

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

This 5203-ZZ bearing is 17mm bore, and the old one is 15.85mm (5/8").
Why not just press a steel sleeve into it and then mount as usual?
I've never seen any advantage with that floating setup, maybe I've just been lucky all these years.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks Matt & Kev. Yes you could make up a sleave to make the bearing press fit. Matt, yes you do have a point about the bearing wearing prematurely, but these are so over-rated for the job, i think you would be replacing other components first. I can only relay my experience on those I've fitted to our cars and customers abd I never had a problem. It was some time ago and I think I may have had to put a washer under it, maybe only on some - old timers disease....

Leyland came out with the brain wave idea of making them float because they were having premature failure. They thought it was because the bearing was off-centre. They even tried reducing the diameter of the spigot on the clutch cover, then çentering it and dowling it with 2 small roll pins. You may have come across some of these. Then they went to the floating bearing which they think helped. Why not put a decent bearing in the first place!! (hey try a 3W5/8!!).

Got one worn out right here. Didn't realise the old part number was NLA, thanks Doc. Glad I looked.

So where do i get myself one of these new thrust bearings from exactly?

CBC? Other?

Try CBC or the other bearing suspects for a 5203-ZZ, if no joy there you can get from the link GT Mo provided above. They say they ship worldwide..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Didn't pick up if someone mentioned this - the supply may come back

Timken to Sell Bearings Business to JTEKT
Mon. August 03, 2009; Posted: 10:16 PM


Aug 03, 2009 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- TKR | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Timken Company announced it has signed an agreement to sell the assets of its Needle Roller Bearings business, which primarily serves customers in the automotive original-equipment sector, to Japan's JTEKT in a cash transaction.
The agreement is subject to customary regulatory approvals and certain closing conditions.

Upon closing, which is expected to occur by the end of 2009, Timken would receive approximately $330 million in cash for the business, subject to adjustments for working capital. Proceeds from the sale will provide increased liquidity and be used for general company purposes.

"This transaction is a major step forward in our strategy to transform our portfolio to focus on industrial sectors with strong aftermarkets," said James W. Griffith, Timken president and chief executive officer. "It positions us to concentrate our resources on areas where we can realize mutual value with our customers."

The Needle Roller Bearings business was part of the broader Torrington acquisition Timken made in 2003. The business has approximately 3,400 associates and manufactures highly engineered needle roller bearings, including an extensive range of radial and thrust needle roller bearings, as well as bearing assemblies and loose needles, for automotive and industrial applications. Facilities included in the agreement are:

- North America: Cairo, GA; Dahlonega, GA; Sylvania, GA; Greenville, SC; Walhalla, SC; and Bedford, Quebec, Canada.

- Europe: Brno and Olomouc, Czech Republic; Maromme, Moult, and Vierzon, France; Kuensebeck, Germany; and Bilbao, Spain.

- Asia: LiYuan District, China.

JTEKT is a Japanese manufacturer of steering systems, driveline components, bearings and machine tools. The company's bearings solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including automobiles, jet engines, windmill power generators, and shinkansen (bullet trains).

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!