Air con idler pulley bearing

[Ranga]

Yet another bearing change today. Seems every 2 years or so I need to replace it. Anyone know if there's a superior brand to the OEM version (maybe Timken or something)?

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Which model Defender?

BTW: Timken can be manufactured in India or China amongst other places, although they do use their own quality control.

[Xtreme]

Yet another bearing change today. Seems every 2 years or so I need to replace it. Anyone know if there's a superior brand to the OEM version (maybe Timken or something)?
If you're using the bearings that are `sealed` with a plastic `donut`, try carefully removing th? plastic and check how much grease is in a new bearing. I did this a few years ago and found very little grease. Maybe this is a manufacturing ploy to ensure early failure and hence increased sales. :wasntme:

Not sure of the brand - bought from local bearing place - but they wern`t Timkin. After adding extra grease, they are still going strong after about five years.

[Killer]

As far as I am aware that bearing would be a 6203 bearing, these I am told are the most popular size bearings there are. Go into a bearing shop and tell them you want the best quality bearing they have in that size. Even the best quality ones shouldn't be more than $10:00 each. While you are at it, you might as well change the other 2 idler bearings, same size.
Cheers,
Mick.

[towe0609]

I was advised by my independent land rover mechanic to pry the plastic donut off with a sharp knife edge and add more grease from new before fitting.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

On the idler for the Isuzu 110 they have an open bearing and a grease nipple on the shaft. Although the pivot arm and post are designed with close fittings to retain the grease.

Perhaps it may be an option to modify the Defender design with a grease way and pull off the seal on one side of the bearing?

[Gumnut]

Hi,

It is very handy to have a stash of 6203 2RS in stock. It is on the 300TDI A/C idler, tensioner, drive belt tensioner and alternator, and probably elsewhere as well! And other engines.....
The tricky bit is the retaining clip which must be prised out. I tried to get clever and get some internal circlips (40mm IIRC), but they were too thick by about 0.3mm. There may be a thin series available which would speed the job up no end...
All roller bearings have a finite lifespan, dependent upon factors such as lubrication (oil or grease), load (radial and/or axial), speed, tolerance, duty type etc etc. in the case of a grease packed bearing too much can be worse than not quite enough... So "enough" is used to last a "typical" lifespan.
If the bearings are to be oil lubricated, or greased in service, pry the seals off to allow oil circulation, as plain bearings probably cost the same as 2RS (or similar designation denoting 2 rubber seals - may change with manufacturer)