kingpin bearings

[lexi]

Hi Guys
When I strip my front hubs to renew axleshaft seals I thought I might do the top and bottom kingpins as there is wear in them anyway. Bearings are Koyo 30304AJR. I think the bearing type 30304 is a standard taper roller which can be crossed to a Timken but the AJR I think refers to the rubber seal which is pressed onto the bearing itself. So needing four of these I bought one from Nissan dealer--£35-00...sterling.
...ouch! and took it to my bearing supplier to order it from Koyo UK. Koyo said they were waiting for a shipment from Japan and made all sorts of other excuses. Quite simply they did not want to sell that part to anyone but Nissan. Are you guys able to buy that bearing from someone other than Nissan
Thanks Alex

[Wendle]

i just bought the ones without the seal (30304) for about $12AU each. you might want the seal though, depends on what sort of driving you are doing.

[lexi]

Wendle
Is that seal necessary? I don`t wade with Patrol. There are also "plugs" mentioned in manual. They`re like spindle plates. Did you renew yours? I take it you can`t get the bearing with seal as an aftermarket part either?
Cheers Alex

[J Top]

I have bought the sealed bearings of a local bearing shop for $30nz each and they said they would get them out of aussie if I needed more.
The exact same bearing from Nissan was $240nz.
J Top

[lexi]

J Top
Were these Koyo bearings with the rubber seal or another brand with a seal on them. Anyone else used a kingpin bearing without the seal. Is the rubber only there to hold grease in extreme conditions. I am a bit disadvantaged not having stripped the knuckle joints to examine the set up yet.
Alex

[J Top]

They were the exact same brg,make ,numbers ,etc.
The seal protects the brg firstly but after you replace the brgs the washer under the outer race is damaged and not carried by Nissan NZ,or at least wasn't, so the crud goes through the brg and into the swival housing.
J Top

[lexi]

J Top
When you say the rubber washer is damaged do you mean the flat spindle washer with a very fine rubber lip which is part no.40040.
Alex

[J Top]

I don't know the part # but that sounds like it.
J Top