Bearing source

[freeindeed]

I have a 97 standard. I bought an extra rear wheel for tire change ease and the single row bearing was shot. Polished it and mounted a Michelin CrossClimate. Did the rear wheel bearing mod and struggled finding quality front and rear wheel bearings at a fair price. I mean these things are tiny. $75 a piece?
 After sourcing them locally from a bearing outlet I'm not convinced they'll hold up more than a year or 2. I knew before getting them they came from the same place the virus did. But got them anyway and put them in. Some guys have had good luck with them. I probably won't

So I dug some more and found this place...

https://www.rainbowprecisionproducts.com/

I spoke with them twice and seemed like great guys. The biggest takeaway was that they do not sell Chinese bearings, only quality Japanese in the metric line. NSK, SKF, Koyo and JAF. Timken too but I didn't see them in wheel bearings our size. I often buy bearings for other uses and this place just might be my go to. The site was a little confusing to me so I called them before I ordered. Might be the best route.

$29 ea for 5204-2RS
$21 ea for 6004-2RS
$20 shipping USPS

An hour after I completed the purchase on-line I got an email saying they shipped.

Hope they're decent bearings.  We'll see

The NAPA brand front bearings
(made in China) are going back




 

[Jims99]

I ordered a bunch of bearings about 6-7 years ago from an online bearing store. Not sure where they were made but they’re all still holding up fine. I’ve done the rear wheel bearing mod on all three of mine with no problems. Don’t forget to have the spacer cut down. Local machine shop here charged me $5 a piece. Not bad.

[h13man]

97' front is the #6004. Post 97' #6204 is used front and rear in conjunction with the #5204. Whole heartily agree with Japanese brands which are my favorites. My local power/motion store used to carry commonly stocked #6204 until I needed one for the rear. Of course they offered to order them.  Went home and done a Amazon.

[HayHauler]

NSK and SKF are good brands.  I am not aware of where they are made.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[RaginTxn]

question as I'm in need of front bearing replacement (plan on having both done). Do the interstates and tourer models use the same bearings? if they are different - does anyone have the model number for interstate front and rears? thanks!

[98valk]

https://www.stopfakebearings.com/

""The WBA Check app is recommended by leading international manufacturers such as JTEKT (Koyo), NACHI, NTN, NSK, Schaeffler (INA/FAG), SKF, and Timken.""

[h13man]

97' all models, 6004 frt. bearings. Post 97' #6204 frts. and 1 #6204 and 1 #5204 for all year rear wheels. I used "2RS" sealed bearings meaning double rubber sealed as both wheels have seals to further protect the bearings. My rear stock #6204 had hard phenolic shielding that crumbled with age and yes phenolic is very susceptible aging like this. Same material as celluloid caps off SB Chevy/GM starters.  

Nachi, Timken, NSK and FAG are very reliable names.
Do not use cheap priced/inferior Chinese bearings aka All Ball brand for one.