Timken Supplies Braking Components for Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Pickups

CANTON, Ohio, April 1 -- The Timken Company announced that it is supplying the Robert Bosch Corporation with its new tapered roller bearing package, which incorporates an integrated hub for the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 series 4 x 2 pickup trucks, beginning with the 2003 model year.

"Conventional components like spacers and washers are no longer needed because they are replaced by this new integrated technology. This allows similar bearing packages to be used on both 4 x 2 and 4 x 4 front wheels," says Russ Folger, vice president - automotive engineering - chassis - Timken. "This package provides our automotive customers with the ability to produce vehicles with greater fuel efficiency and improved maneuverability."

This integrated bearing package contains the Timken(R) SENSOR-PAC(TM) bearing, a pre-sealed, pre-greased and preset package bearing design. The package's integrated sensing technology delivers data for antilock braking systems.

"The integration of our bearing with a wheel hub and designing them together as a package has reduced the space, weight and tolerances of the assembly. As a result, braking performance is enhanced and vehicle weight is reduced." says Rich Adams, vice president - automotive chassis group - Timken. "This self-retained integrated package exemplifies our commitment to bring cost-effective improvements to both our automotive customers and their customers."

The Timken Company ( www.timken.com ) is a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered bearings, alloy and specialty steels and components, and a provider of related products and services. Following its February 2003 acquisition of The Torrington Company, Timken employs 28,000 people worldwide in operations in 29 countries. In 2002, the combined companies had sales of approximately $3.8 billion.

  For Additional Information:
  Bob Bourquin
  Senior Marketing Communications Representative
  (330) 471-7106
  Or visit www.timken.com/media

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