Timken bearing cross reference

Reading a Timken Bearing Designation

Timken is the reference brand for tapered roller bearings, and its designations behave differently from the deep groove ball bearings of other brands. Two things matter before anything else: Timken numbering is not always metric-ISO, and a tapered roller bearing is a set of parts — a cone (inner ring with rollers), a cup (outer ring), and sometimes spacers — not a single inseparable unit.

Timken cone and cup designations

A Timken reference may identify the cone only, the cup only, or the complete assembly. When a catalogue line lists a single number (for example, 30205), it usually means the complete assembly — but confirm this before ordering, because a cone and cup from different production batches are not guaranteed to match.

Timken suffixes on tapered roller bearings

Example: Timken 30205 (or J30205 in metric notation) is the complete metric tapered roller bearing assembly. The standard designation 30205 has the same ISO 355 boundary dimensions, so it is the direct interchangeable equivalent — confirm cone and cup assembly before ordering.

What to check before replacing a Timken bearing

1. Identify whether you need a cone, a cup, or the complete set. This is the most common mistake in tapered roller replacement.
2. Check the mounting arrangement. If the original used a matched pair (DF, DB, DT), the replacement must preserve the arrangement and the preload settings.
3. Confirm the bore type. A K suffix means a tapered bore (1:12) for mounting on adapter sleeves — not the same as a straight bore.
4. Check for the lubrication groove. W33 (groove and holes) matters for applications that relubricate through the outer ring.
5. Send the complete original marking with your RFQ so we can confirm the exact standard equivalent.

Metric vs Inch Timken Series

Timken produces both metric (ISO 355) series such as 30200, 30300, and 32200, and inch series such as 205 (which is the inch-market equivalent of metric 30205 in many applications). The boundary dimensions of an inch-series bearing and a metric bearing with the same nominal bore are not automatically identical — confirm the actual bore, OD, and width measurements before substituting. The cross-reference table below lists metric standard designations.

Timken in Heavy-Duty Applications

Timken tapered roller bearings are standard in truck wheel ends, axles, gearboxes, and heavy machinery. The E suffix marks enhanced-capacity designs. When replacing a Timken bearing in a wheel-end or gearbox application, the assembly (cone + cup) and the setting procedure matter as much as the part number — if the original came as a matched set, order the same.

How to Use This Cross Reference

1. Locate your Timken bearing model number
2. Find the corresponding KIHOI model
3. Verify dimensions match
4. Request a quote

Popular Timken Equivalents

Contact us for specific model inquiries.