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The short version
- The 2002 to 2005 retro roadster uses front hub HA590213 and rear 511032.
- That rear number, 511032, is the same part Ford used on the Jaguar S-Type, since both ride on the DEW98 platform.
- MN12 Thunderbirds from 1991 to 1997 use front hub 513092 and a serviceable rear tapered set, SET49.
- The 1990 model splits its front number by brakes: 513076 with ABS, 513077 without.
Ford revived the Thunderbird name in 2002 with a roadster built on the DEW98 platform. That platform also underpins the Jaguar S-Type and Lincoln LS. A Thunderbird wheel bearing at the rear of a 2002 to 2005 car is the same piece Jaguar used.
The Thunderbird wheel bearing number Ford shares with Jaguar
That rear number, 511032, is identical to the one used on the Jaguar S-Type of the same era.
Both cars ride on Ford’s DEW98 platform, which explains the shared Thunderbird wheel bearing part.
Thunderbird wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 to 2005 | Front hub, retro roadster (DEW98) | HA590213 check price |
| 2002 to 2005 | Rear, pressed ball, shared with Jaguar S-Type | 511032 check price |
| 1991 to 1997 | Front hub (MN12) | 513092 check price |
| 1991 to 1997 | Rear, serviceable tapered set (MN12) | SET49 check price |
| 1990 | Front, with ABS | 513076 check price |
| 1990 | Front, without ABS | 513077 check price |
Every model year this chart resolves: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Price links lead to Amazon searches for that number. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Lookups run through the cross reference page.
The retro rear bearing is identical to the Jaguar S-Type part. Searching under the Jaguar listing sometimes turns up better pricing or availability. The two cars never shared a badge, but they shared an assembly line era and a parts bin.
The MN12 era front number does not carry that overlap. 513092 is specific to the Thunderbird and its Mercury Cougar twin, not to any Jaguar or Lincoln.
One platform, three badges
The retro Thunderbird, the Jaguar S-Type, and the Lincoln LS all rode on Ford’s DEW98 platform. Sharing a platform meant sharing a rear Thunderbird wheel bearing number too. Ford owned Jaguar at the time, which made the crossover easier to build.
The MN12 era Thunderbird kept things simpler. Its twin was the Mercury Cougar, another Ford family car, not an outside brand.
Serviceable rear, sealed front: the MN12 Thunderbird wheel bearing setup
The MN12 Thunderbird’s rear SET49 is a serviceable tapered bearing, not a sealed cartridge. Cleaning and repacking it follows the process on the repack wheel bearings page. The front hub, 513092, is sealed and gets replaced whole.
Preload on that rear set matters as much as fresh grease does. Wheel bearing adjustment covers the torque sequence that keeps a rebuilt Thunderbird wheel bearing from running loose or hot.
Ford’s own Mustang was a showroom rival during these same years. It never shared a Thunderbird wheel bearing number with either Ford generation covered here.
Diagnosing a Thunderbird wheel bearing
- Identify the generation first. A 1990 front splits by ABS, while MN12 cars from 1991 to 1997 use a single front number. The 2002 to 2005 retro roadster uses its own hub entirely.
- Listen for speed related noise. A hum or grind that builds with road speed points at a failing bearing, not the tire.
- Jack up the corner and check for play. Grip the tire at 12 and 6 o’clock and rock it. Looseness with the brakes released points at the bearing.
- Check the rear style before ordering. MN12 rears are serviceable tapered sets, while retro roadster rears are sealed and pressed.
- Cross shop the Jaguar S-Type for a retro roadster rear. The 511032 Thunderbird wheel bearing is identical to the S-Type part, so pricing or stock can differ between listings.
Common questions
Why does the Thunderbird share a rear wheel bearing with a Jaguar?
The 2002 to 2005 retro Thunderbird, the Jaguar S-Type, and the Lincoln LS all used Ford’s DEW98 platform. Sharing that platform meant sharing the same rear part, 511032.
What is the front Thunderbird wheel bearing number for the MN12 generation?
Thunderbirds from 1991 to 1997 use front hub 513092. That single number covers the whole MN12 run, with no split by trim.
Is the 1990 Thunderbird front bearing different from later MN12 years?
Yes. The 1990 model splits by brakes: 513076 with ABS and 513077 without. From 1991 on, a single number, 513092, covers the front regardless of brakes.
Are MN12 Thunderbird rear wheel bearings serviceable?
Yes. The MN12 rear uses a serviceable tapered set, SET49, rather than a sealed cartridge. It can be cleaned, repacked, and adjusted.
Does the Mercury Cougar use the same wheel bearing as the Thunderbird?
The MN12 era Mercury Cougar was the Thunderbird’s direct platform twin. Its Thunderbird wheel bearing equivalents follow the same 513092 front and SET49 rear listed here.