Timken Adds Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease to U.S. Product Line

Timken is expanding its automotive aftermarket product offering with the addition of Timken automotive wheel bearing grease, complementing its full-line of bearings, hub assemblies, seals and kits. This premium, hi-temp, red grease is specifically formulated to handle the rigors of both disc and drum applications. "Timken, a global leader in bearing and steel technology, understands the importance of friction management. Our automotive wheel bearing grease was developed by leveraging our knowledge of anti-friction bearings and tribology, which is the study of friction, lubrication and interacting surfaces," said Geoff Gordon, business development manager - global automotive aftermarket. "As a result of being formulated for both disc and drum applications, end- users may be able to reduce their grease inventory by stocking only one wheel bearing grease." Timken automotive wheel bearing grease features a lithium complex thickener that resists softening and provides the film strength and mechanical stability required for demanding applications. The National Lubrication Grease Institute (NLGI) certifies this grease to meet the top-rated performance levels in both the chassis grease category (NLGI LB) and the wheel bearing grease category (NLGI GC). "Lubricants are not new to Timken," said Mr. Gordon. "In fact, Timken developed a method to rate extreme pressure (EP) lubricants in the 1930s that is still an industry standard. During the 1930s, as a result of significant increases in horsepower and speeds in all types of industrial and automotive applications, EP lubricants became popular. However, there was no standard to obtain comparative data. "As a result, Timken engineers developed a lubricant test machine, which provided an economical and reliable means to determine the EP characteristics of lubricants. In 1935, the company began producing and selling lubricant test machines. The lubricant test quickly became an industry standard. The maximum load, in pounds, a lubricant could withstand without failure due to breakdown of the lubricant film became known as the "Timken OK Load" rating - a standard commonly used in industry today." According to Mr. Gordon, the rating for Timken grease is higher than those for typical greases. "The rating for typical greases ranges between 40 and 50 pounds. The rating for Timken automotive wheel bearing grease is 55 pounds and that means superior load-carrying capability." Timken automotive wheel bearing grease is available through Timken authorized distributors in the United States and is packaged in 1-pound (425-gram) tubs. A 14-ounce cartridge will be added later this year. The Timken Corporation is a U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR); (http://www.timken.com). The Timken Company is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels and a provider of related products and services with operations in 27 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Timken recorded 2003 sales of $3.8 billion and employed approximately 26,000 at year-end.