AU IRS Wheel bearings

[madmelon]

Hi All,
I've recently considered undertaking a bearing change for the rear end of my AUIII XR8. Having read many horror stories about the difficulty of this and wanting a quality replacement bearing, I set out to determine if Timken make a bearing to suit. The process was this...

-Searched for a bearing kit to suit online, finding an ebay listing showing a part number. The part number was for an NTN bearing, being ET-CRI-0848

-Google searched "ET-CRI-0848" to ensure that exact term was in the results.

-One result was for a Slovakian auto parts website "Darma Slovensko"
http://www.darmaslovensko.sk/?page=e...kaz=FAG579102A

This showed the same AU IRS bearing part number applying to the Ford Windstar and the 95- Taurus. It also showed a Timken part number "JMR4249", a F.A.G. part number (in the url too) 579102A, and a FENIX part number 513058

-Went to "Automotive Aftermarket" section of the Timken bearing website and searched for 95 Taurus. Result was a bearing called "SET49"
http://www.showmetheparts.com/timken/

-Open SET49 link and lo and behold, the image shows JMR4249 stamped on the bearing race and it looks much like the AU IRS wheel bearing.

Other applications include IRS mustang (rear), Jag XK8/XKR/XJ8/XJR (rear), Chrysler Neon and PT Cruiser (front), Dodge Neon (front), Hyundai Tuscon and Santa Fe (Rear), a few Kias, Mercuries, Lincolns and other Fords.

Now to be 100% sure, you'd have to measure one up but from what I've seen it looks good. This exercise has also had another nice little side benefit- these bearings can be had for ~US$30 each plus freight instead of the AU$70+ we would see them for here in an inferior brand.

Hope this helps someone.