Bower

About Bower Bearings

When engineers and technicians demand precision under pressure, the Bower name has long been a benchmark in the bearing industry. Bower — now part of the NTN family of brands — has built its reputation on manufacturing high-quality tapered roller bearings designed for the rigors of automotive, heavy-duty trucking, agricultural, and industrial applications. Bower tapered roller bearings are produced at plants in Macomb, IL and Hamilton, AL, and have earned a reputation for reliability and performance in demanding commercial vehicle environments.

Bower heavy-duty OE and aftermarket bearings are recognized among the very best in the industry, with a long and distinguished list of quality product innovations. That heritage traces back to the brand's roots in American precision manufacturing and was further strengthened when NTN acquired the Bower brand in the mid-1980s, expanding its catalog of tapered and cylindrical roller bearings.

At the heart of the Bower lineup are its wheel bearings, which are engineered to handle the combined radial and thrust loads that wheels generate during cornering, braking, and acceleration. Most Bower tapered roller bearings feature case-carburized components, with cups, cones, and rollers made from case-hardened alloy steel to provide superior fatigue life, while precise control of heat treatment, dimensions, and surface finish further contribute to reliable performance.

Beyond individual bearings, Bower extends its expertise into wheel bearing and hub assemblies — pre-greased, pre-torqued units that simplify installation and reduce the chance of setup error. The brand's bearings and seals portfolio rounds out the offering, ensuring that the precision components inside a wheel end or drivetrain stay protected from contamination and moisture throughout their service life.

Proper installation is critical to realizing the full service life of any bearing, which is why Bower also offers a line of axle seal installation tools. NTN's product catalog specifically includes installation and removal tools designed to work in concert with their bearing lines, helping technicians seat seals and bearings correctly the first time. The brand's reach into automatic transmission applications further reflects how integral precision roller bearings are to virtually every rotating assembly in a modern vehicle.

Under the NTN umbrella, Bower is part of a family of brands that manufacture and supply a comprehensive range of bearings, constant velocity joints, and precision industrial and automotive equipment across a variety of industries. With over 75 plants worldwide and more than 100 years of quality to its name, NTN-Bower represents one of the most trusted and thoroughly tested bearing programs available to the professional installer and serious enthusiast alike.