The short version
- A Lincoln wheel bearing is a Ford part underneath. The MKZ carries the same single day build cutoff as the Fusion.
- Cars built through 17 January 2014 are cited with 512498 and cars from 18 January with 512497.
- Several rear listings note that the part contains an ABS cap. That is a fitting detail, not a fitment one.
- Everything else follows the Ford it is based on. The Ford listing is usually the wider market.
Lincoln is Ford’s premium division. That is not a criticism, it is the most useful fact when you are shopping for a hub.
The January 2014 cutoff
Rear listings cite 512498 for cars built through 17 January 2014. Cars from 18 January take 512497.
The door jamb label carries the build month and year. The model year alone does not settle it.
The Ford Fusion carries the identical split. That is the clearest proof available that these are the same car underneath.
That page is the Fusion page.
Lincoln wheel bearing arrangements by model
| Model | Hub type | Ford relative |
|---|---|---|
| MKZ | Bolt on, build date split | Fusion |
| MKS | Bolt on hub unit | Taurus |
| MKX | Bolt on hub unit | Edge |
| Navigator | Bolt on, drivetrain split | Expedition |
| Continental | Bolt on, drivetrain split | Ford large car platform |
The MKS is cited with 513275 at the front. The Taurus uses that number across most of its range.
Cross referencing is on the cross reference page and the Taurus is on its own page.
The ABS cap note
Several MKZ rear listings carry a note that the part contains an ABS cap.
That is the cover protecting the encoder face. If the replacement arrives without one and the old one is damaged, you have an unplanned problem.
Check what is in the box before the car is on stands. That is on the ABS light page.
What a heavy quiet car does
These are heavier than the Ford they are based on, and better insulated.
The weight loads the hub harder while the cabin hides the noise. Owners arrive late as a rule, not an exception.
Those are on the vehicle weight page and the noise page.
The Navigator is a truck
The Navigator is an Expedition with better trim. That means body on frame construction, real weight and a towing life.
Front hubs are where those fail. A conventional hitch behind the rear axle levers even more load forward.
That vehicle is covered on the Expedition page, and towing is on the towing page.
Diagnosing a Lincoln wheel bearing
- Read the door jamb build date on an MKZ from 2014.
- Find the Ford equivalent before shopping.
- Drive with the windows down, because the cabin hides early noise.
- Weave at road speed and note the loaded direction.
- Check the box contents for an ABS cap where the listing mentions one.
Those are on the checking page, and the Ford overview is on the Ford page.
Common questions
Is a Lincoln wheel bearing the same as a Ford part?
In most cases yes. Confirm the number against your own car before buying.
What is the January 2014 split?
MKZ rear parts change at a single build date, 512498 through 17 January and 512497 from 18 January.
Where do I find the build date?
The label in the driver door jamb.
Which Ford does my Lincoln match?
MKZ to Fusion, MKS to Taurus, MKX to Edge, Navigator to Expedition.
What is an ABS cap?
The cover that protects the encoder face. Some listings include it and some do not.
Do I need a press?
On the modern range no. These are bolt on hub units.
Why did I not hear it sooner?
These are insulated better than the Ford equivalent, which masks early noise.
By model
- Lincoln Aviator Wheel Bearings: Explorer Parts, Lincoln Badge wheel bearings
- Lincoln MKC wheel bearings
- Lincoln MKX Wheel Bearings: Check the Wheel Size wheel bearings
- Lincoln MKZ Wheel Bearings: One Number, Both Ends on AWD wheel bearings
- Lincoln Town Car Wheel Bearings: 300,000-Mile Duty wheel bearings
- Lincoln Zephyr wheel bearings