Timken Products Enhance Brake Performance and Fuel Economy on Ford Expedition

CANTON, Ohio, April 9 The Timken Company announced that it is supplying Continental Teves, a unit of Continental AG, with its new integrated hub and bearing package for their complete brake system that will be used on all four wheels of the Ford Expedition 4x4 sport utility vehicle, beginning with the 2003 model year.

The hub and bearing assembly in this application contains a Timken® SENSOR-PAC(TM) package bearing mated to a drive hub. This assembly is a bolt- on package, which is pre-sealed, pre-lubricated and preset with a built-in integral sensing system. The 4x4 front hub and bearing utilizes an integrated gear for the front axle disconnect system, manufactured by Warn Industries, which engages and disengages the front axle for 4x4 and 4x2 modes.

``Continental Teves' anti-lock brake system and stability control system that helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles, includes an integrated wheel speed sensoric component supplied by Timken.'' says Rich Adams, vice president - automotive. ``By offering these integrated components, we offer reduced system costs and improved reliability to our customers.''

``The compact design of this integrated package reduces weight while enhancing durability and improving fuel economy,'' says Russ Folger, vice president - engineering - automotive. ``The low torque seals and the integrated gear, used as part of Warn's automatic wheel end disconnect system, gives added customer value to this package.''