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The short version
- A Transit wheel bearing up front splits on single or dual rear wheels. That changes which front part fits.
- 515153 is cited for single rear wheel vans and 515152 for dual, on 2015 to 2017 vans.
- The rear now covers a full serviceable bearing set for 2015 to 2018. That sits on top of the existing hub unit row.
- Front 2018 and 2019 vans sit past the catalogs. The old part or the VIN decides.
It looks backwards that what is fitted at the back decides the front part. A dual rear wheel van carries a higher rated front axle to match the load it is built for.
The rear tells a different story. The catalogs carry both a simple hub unit and a full tapered bearing set for the same years. The two are not the same design, and mixing them up is easy to do.
This page now covers both stories in one Transit wheel bearing chart, front and rear, Connect and full size.
Count the rear tires
On 2015 to 2017 vans, 515153 is cited for single rear wheels and 515152 for dual. Both are front parts.
The rear configuration is what separates them. Neither number works on the other setup.
The Ford F-350 splits the same way for the same reason, on the front versus rear page. The Transit Connect is a smaller van with its own numbers, covered further down this page.
Counting tires takes ten seconds. Skipping that step is the single most common way to order the wrong front hub on this van.
Transit wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 to 2019 | Front, full size Transit, past the catalogs | match old part or VIN |
| 2015 to 2020 | Rear inner bearing, Transit-150, Transit-250 and Transit-350 | NB387AS check price |
| 2015 to 2018 | Rear inner bearing, Transit-350 HD | NB387AS check price |
| 2015 to 2018 | Rear inner race, Transit-150, Transit-250 and Transit-350 | NB382A check price |
| 2015 to 2018 | Rear seal, Transit-150, Transit-250, Transit-350 and Transit-350 HD | NS370247A check price |
| 2015 to 2018 | Rear bearing and race set, Transit-150, Transit-250, Transit-350 and Transit-350 HD | NBSET76 check price |
| 2015 to 2018 | Rear outer bearing and race set, Transit-150, Transit-250, Transit-350 and Transit-350 HD | NBA38 check price |
| 2015 to 2018 | Rear outer bearing, Transit-350 HD | NBLM104949 check price |
| 2015 to 2017 | Front, dual rear wheels | 515152 check price |
| 2015 to 2017 | Front, single rear wheels | 515153 check price |
| 2015 to 2016 | Rear inner race, Transit-350 HD | NB382A check price |
| 2014 to 2017 | Rear | 512525 check price |
| 2010 to 2013 | Front, Transit Connect | 518519 check price |
| 2010 to 2013 | Rear, Transit Connect | 512439 check price |
Lookups run through the cross reference page.
Every model year this chart resolves: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
512525 is a bolt on hub unit, cited for 2014 to 2017. The bearing, race, seal and set numbers above describe a separate tapered set. That set services inside the axle housing on 2015 to 2018 vans.
These are two different designs, not two names for one part. Match what the van actually carries. A shop that assumes one design over the other orders the wrong parts entirely, and the failure repeats within months.
What the rear serviceable set covers
An inner bearing, an inner race, a seal, an outer bearing and an outer race make up the set. Some catalogs sell them as a bearing and race set instead of individual pieces.
The Transit-350 HD carries its own outer bearing number, NBLM104949, separate from the lighter trims. Confirm the exact trim before ordering any piece of this set.
This is new scope for this page. It never listed a rear serviceable set before, only the bolt on hub.
Buying the wrong single piece out of a five part set is common. The noise often continues after the job, and a second trip follows the first.
These rear numbers also print in the same catalog block as some full size Ford pickups and vans. Confirm the line names the Transit specifically before trusting a rear listing found elsewhere.
A working vehicle, not a car
A commercial van spends its life near its rated weight rather than well under it. That is the opposite of most vehicles covered here.
Weight is the single biggest driver of hub wear. Expect a shorter service life than the mileage alone would suggest on a passenger vehicle.
A cargo van running empty most days wears differently than one that never sees an empty rack. Judge the truck by its typical load, not just its badge.
Downtime, delivery work and getting it fixed
On a van that earns money, a day off the road is the expensive part. It often costs more than the part and labor combined, which changes the math on replacing a marginal bearing early.
Multi drop delivery work means constant loading, frequent curb contact and a vehicle that is rarely driven gently. That duty is harder on hubs than highway miles.
If one side has failed at high mileage, consider doing the other while the van is already up. That is a defensible call on a work van in a way it is not on a private car.
Get the number confirmed against the exact trim first. That step is covered on the quote page.
A fleet running several of these vans benefits from tracking which units fail early. A pattern across the fleet is worth reporting under warranty, covered on the warranty page.
Diagnosing a Transit wheel bearing
- Count the rear tires before ordering a front part.
- Check whether it is a Connect, which is a different vehicle with different numbers.
- Confirm the trim on a full size van, since HD models carry their own rear numbers.
- Weave at road speed and note which side loads the noise.
- Compare hub heat across the front axle after a working day.
Those steps are on the checking page and the tire noise page.
Price links lead to Amazon searches for that number. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Common questions
Which Transit wheel bearing do I need?
Count the rear tires first. 515153 is cited for single rear wheels and 515152 for dual, on 2015 to 2017 vans.
Why does the rear axle change the front part?
A dual rear wheel van carries a higher rated front axle to match its load rating. The front hub follows that rating.
Is the rear one part or several?
Both exist in the catalogs. 512525 is a single hub unit for 2014 to 2017. A full tapered set is listed separately for 2015 to 2018.
What about a 2018 or 2019 van?
The front sits past the catalogs for those years. Match the old part or the VIN.
Do I need a press?
No. These use bolt on hub units and a serviceable rear set, not a press fit bearing. The labor is lower than a car that needs a press.