Transmission bearings

J

JKY

Senior Member
I replaced the 7118 and 7121 bearings in my transmission with the current production bearings from a major parts supplier. They were the Chinese bearings. 1,200 miles later they failed. Looking for a source to get good bearings that will last. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
As far as I know, the only thing available from most of the suppliers are still the junk bearings. However, a couple of months ago I purchased the 7121 bearings from, of all places, MAC's and they were the good 7121 bearings. I have no idea if they still have them but they might. The shorter bearing is hard to find, but you might call Steve Becker at Bert's Model A in Denver. He might even have some good used ones which are far preferable to the junk currently available.
 
Greg Jones said:
As far as I know, the only thing available from most of the suppliers are still the junk bearings. However, a couple of months ago I purchased the 7121 bearings from, of all places, MAC's and they were the good 7121 bearings. I have no idea if they still have them but they might. The shorter bearing is hard to find, but you might call Steve Becker at Bert's Model A in Denver. He might even have some good used ones which are far preferable to the junk currently available.
Click to expand...

I know Bert's had a limited supply of both bearings a couple of months ago. Not the same as listed in their catalog so ask for the "good ones" when you call Steve.
 
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Many of the suppliers were not even aware a switch was made. Those that are aware say that is all that is available. This is probably the greatest dis-service ever done to the Model A kingdom. It is not a question of they may fail, they will fail. I don't think anyone is making a quality bearing. See the attached.

Tom Endy
 

Attachments

Thanks Tom, I saw this last year and couldn't find the good bearings so I got and installed what I could find. This is the result. Touring season and the touring car is down.

I'm hunting for cross numbers for these and not having a lot of success.
 
JKY said:
I replaced the 7118 and 7121 bearings in my transmission with the current production bearings from a major parts supplier. They were the Chinese bearings. 1,200 miles later they failed. Looking for a source to get good bearings that will last. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I put the same off shore bearings in about 1,000 miles ago. What is the first sign that they are failing ? Feel like my cherished time machine has become a time bomb.
 
Mullet,
It was noise in the ******. Came in all of a sudden. Rattled it home and into the shop. Pulling it tomorrow night (I hope).
 
Thanks for all this info on the trans bearings. I was going to rebuild my spare transmission
this coming month. I will see if I can cross these numbers for good bearings.
Thanks again, John
 
A 1947 cross reference I have says the RA-135 Bower is the same as B7118 along with 99026 Hyatt, the B7121 is RA-136 Bower and 99028 Hyatt. Us V8 guys are having the same problem! I'm putting together two transmissions and using nice used bearings even though it goes against everything I learned over the years! Hope this helps, Dale.
 
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A 1947 cross reference I have says the RA-135 Bower is the same as B7118 along with 99026 Hyatt, the B7121 is RA-136 Bower and 99028 Hyatt. Us V8 guys are having the same problem! I'm putting together two transmissions and using nice used bearings even though it goes against everything I learned over the years! Hope this helps, Dale.
 
jayvee34 said:
Thanks for all this info on the trans bearings. I was going to rebuild my spare transmission
this coming month. I will see if I can cross these numbers for good bearings.
Thanks again, John
Click to expand...

Please let me know what you find. I'm having difficulty getting some that are American made.
 
deuce5wndw said:
A 1947 cross reference I have says the RA-135 Bower is the same as B7118 along with 99026 Hyatt, the B7121 is RA-136 Bower and 99028 Hyatt. Us V8 guys are having the same problem! I'm putting together two transmissions and using nice used bearings even though it goes against everything I learned over the years! Hope this helps, Dale.
Click to expand...

JKY, I am going with the Bower bearings listed above by deuce5wndw. I am familiar with the Bower Bearings, I have used them when I rebuilt several
8" & 9" rear ends. They have always been quality bearings.

Thanks, John

Hope they have not moved off shore!!
 
There was another post awhile back that listed some different interchange numbers:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.php?p=696837&postcount=14

jrelliott said:
The main shaft bearing #A7065 is 1-114119 SKF, 1 Side sealed 208SZ SKF and 1306 Federal. Counter shaft bearing short and Main drive gear bearing A7118-A is 24780 Timken, F93324 SKF, J24-1256 RHC, 93328 Hyatt, and J-24-1248 BCA Federal Mogal. Counter Shaft bearing long #A7121 is 94216 Hyatt, J201632 Bowers and J-24-1256 BCA Federal Mogal. Transmission Main Drive Gear Bearing #A7025 is 306P Timken, 1-114118 SKF, 1 side seald 306SZ SKF and 3208 ND
Click to expand...
 
462738

Model A Ford Transmission Roller Bearings
 
This site lists a ton of cross-references for A7118:
https://www.yoyopart.com/oem/11363197/timken-j241248.html#interchange

And for A7121:
http://www.kakapart.com/oem/partscrossinterchange/bower-j241256.html

Maybe one of these is available.

Here's a vendor selling a part that interchanges with A7118:
https://wellertruck.com/inventory/parts/bearings-seals/p30000736/j241248/bearing/bearing

Here's someone on eBay selling 2 units that interchange with A7121:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BCA-Bower-J241256-roller-bearing-made-in-USA-/233596345459
 
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