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On Friday, The Timken Co. announced it's developed a Sure-Fit™ universal backing ring designed to reduce loose backing rings in bearings on untoleranced rail-car axles.

Conditionally approval by the Association of American Railroads, the ring can provide an interference fit between the axle dust guard diameter section and backing ring. Featuring enhanced journal axle fillet protection, the Sure-Fit can be used on untoleranced and toleranced axles, and be installed on axles with dust guard diameters up to 0.05 inches below a toleranced axle's nominal size.

"Loose backing rings have plagued the industry for more than 30 years,
costing railways more than $60 million each year in premature wheel set
removals," said Timken President-Rail Mathew Happach in a prepared statement, adding that the ring will help customers reduce maintenance costs associated with premature wheel removal.

Timken also offers Timken® AP™, SP™ and AP-2™ tapered roller bearings, the HDL™ seal, and rail bearing grease and reconditioning services.