L44649 Bearing Dimensions

The L44649 is the cone of an inch tapered roller bearing. Its bore is 26.988 mm, which is 1-1/16 in. It runs in the L44610 cup, and the set L44649/L44610 is 50.292 mm across and 14.224 mm wide. Most people who search for it are replacing the outer wheel bearing of a light trailer. This page gives the dimensions in both units, explains how the cone and cup numbers work, and lists the part-number mix-ups that send the wrong cup or the wrong cone.

L44649 bearing dimensions

The specification table above gives the cone bore, the cone width, the cup outside diameter and the total width. Two figures are worth adding from FULI’s catalog. The cone width B is 14.732 mm (0.580 in), larger than the set’s total width of 14.224 mm, so in the assembled set the cone sticks out beyond the cup face. The cup width C is 10.668 mm (0.420 in). If you check a cup on its own, that is the number to measure. Some online listings give the width of this bearing as 0.58 in or 14.732 mm. That is the cone width, not the width of the set.

Our catalog gives a basic dynamic load rating Cr of 28.3 kN and a static rating C0r of 33 kN for the L44649/L44610 set. Values from FULI’s catalog; confirm for your application. Speed and weight are not in our catalog table for this set. Ask us if you need them.

The inch figures are the native ones. The bearing was designed in inches, and the millimetre values are conversions. When you measure an old part, a 1-1/16 in bore will read 26.98 or 26.99 mm on a caliper, not 27.

Cone, cup and set

An inch tapered roller bearing has two parts with two numbers [1]:

• The cone is the inner ring with the rollers and the cage held on it. L44649 is a cone number.
• The cup is the outer ring. L44610 is a cup number.
• The set is the two together, written L44649/L44610.

The cone and the cup come apart. That is how a trailer hub is built: the cups are pressed into the hub, and the cones go onto the spindle with the wheel.

When a hub is serviced, the cone and the cup wear as a pair because the rollers run directly on the cup raceway. If the cup has pits or a stepped track, a new cone in the old cup will not last. Replace both, and press the new cup in fully against its shoulder.

Our tapered roller bearing page explains the cup and cone in more detail and how to state on an order that you need only one of them.

How a pair of L44649-type bearings works

A tapered roller bearing carries radial load and axial load together. A radial load on a single tapered bearing produces an axial reaction that has to be taken by something [1]. That is why tapered bearings are mounted in pairs facing each other, like the inner and outer bearing of a trailer hub, so that each one takes the axial reaction of the other.

A pair of tapered bearings is adjusted on assembly. Timken defines endplay as a setting with axial clearance between the rolling elements and the races, and preload as a setting with axial interference [1]. Most bearings are set with endplay at assembly, so that they reach a near-zero setting at operating temperature [1].

On a trailer hub, that adjustment is the spindle nut. Too tight and the bearings run hot. Too loose and the wheel rocks, and the rollers hammer the cups. Follow the axle maker’s procedure for the nut and the lock.

This is also why a tapered bearing has no C3 or C2 clearance group the way a deep groove ball bearing does. The clearance is set on the machine, not in the factory.

Where the L44649 is used

The most common place is the trailer wheel hub. According to etrailer, the L44649 is the outer bearing and the L68149 the inner bearing for hubs on a 1-1/16 in to 1-3/8 in tapered spindle, and this pair is standard on 3,500 lb axles [2]. The two cones are different sizes because the spindle steps down from the inner bearing to the outer one.

For the inner position on these hubs, etrailer lists the L68111 cup with the L68149 cone [2]. See the L68149 page for that cone. The grease seal behind the inner bearing is a separate part; for this hub etrailer lists a seal of 1.719 in ID and 2.565 in OD [2].

The same inch sizes appear in other light-duty hubs and machines. On a part that is not a trailer hub, read the cone and cup numbers off the old parts rather than going by the application.

Common L44649 ordering mistakes

Ordering the cone when you need the set. “L44649” by itself is the cone. If the cup in the hub is worn, you also need L44610. Write L44649/L44610 when you want both, and state the quantity of each when you want different numbers of cones and cups.

L44643 in place of L44649. The L44643 cone has a 25.4 mm (1.000 in) bore and runs in the same L44610 cup in our catalog. The two cones look almost the same. Fitted on a 1-1/16 in spindle, an L44643 will not go on. Fitted the other way round, an L44649 on a 1 in spindle is loose. Measure the bore of the old cone, or the spindle.

L45449 for L44649. The L45449 cone has a 29 mm (1.142 in) bore. In our catalog it pairs with the L45410 cup, which has the same outside diameter and total width as the L44610. Order the cup number that belongs to the cone you are buying, and do not mix cones and cups from different series.

The wrong cup on the inner bearing. In our catalog the L68149 cone pairs with the L68110 cup, 59.131 mm outside diameter. The trailer kits listed by etrailer use the L68111 cup, 59.974 mm across [2]. In our catalog the L68111 pairs with the JL68145 cone. The 0.84 mm difference is enough to make a cup loose or impossible to press in. Read the number on the old cup, or measure the hub bore, before you order.

Assuming one maker’s prefix or suffix changes the size. Some makers add letters before or after the basic number. The basic number decides the size. Copy everything printed on the old part into the inquiry anyway, because the letters tell the factory what the old part was. If the old part has a brand name and a number you cannot place, send a photo of both faces and we will look it up, first in the printed interchange books and then online.

How to check an L44649 sample

1. Measure the cone bore at two points: 26.99 mm, or 1-1/16 in.
2. Measure the cup outside diameter: 50.29 mm, or 1.980 in.
3. Measure the cone width (14.73 mm) and the cup width (10.67 mm) separately.
4. Put the cone in the cup and measure the total width: 14.22 mm.
5. Read the numbers stamped on the cone face and the cup face. They are different numbers.

If the bore is 25.4 mm, you have an L44643. If the bore is 29 mm, you have an L45449. If the cup is about 59 mm across, you are looking at the inner bearing, not the outer one.

How we supply the L44649

Our tapered roller bearings are made from GCr15 chrome bearing steel for the cups, cones and rollers. The steel maker’s material certificate is available on request for OEM and industrial orders.

Tapered roller bearings leave our factory protected against rust and normally with little or no grease. They are meant to be packed with grease when they are mounted, using the grease the axle or machine maker specifies.

Where a customer specifies the width of the cone, the cup or the assembled set, we check that dimension on a height gauge piece by piece before packing. Tell us in the inquiry if your assembly depends on it.

Damage to truck and trailer bearings mostly starts with bumps on rough roads. A hard knock dents the raceway, and the dent grows as the rollers keep running over it. Check for that when you take an old bearing out. A new bearing will go the same way if the hub is not adjusted correctly or the seal lets water in.

If you have an OEM part number in place of L44649, send it and we will confirm the standard number before quoting. Boxes show the number and brand, and the parts carry your authorised brand, our factory brand or no brand, as you require.

Related inch tapered sizes

Cone / cup	Bore	Cup OD	Total width	Note
L44649/L44610	26.988 mm (1-1/16 in)	50.292 mm	14.224 mm	This page
L44643/L44610	25.4 mm (1 in)	50.292 mm	14.224 mm	Same cup, smaller bore
L45449/L45410	29 mm (1.142 in)	50.292 mm	14.224 mm	Larger bore, own cup
L68149/L68110	34.988 mm (1.377 in)	59.131 mm	15.875 mm	Inner trailer bearing size
JL68145/L68111	35 mm (1.378 in)	59.974 mm	15.875 mm	Pairs with the L68111 cup
LM11949/LM11910	19.05 mm (3/4 in)	45.237 mm	15.494 mm	Smaller inch size

Dimensions from FULI’s catalog. For other inch sizes, send the cone and cup numbers to sales@fuli-bearings.com or WhatsApp +86 152 6352 1305.

Sources

1. Timken Engineering Manual (10424) (Timken)
2. Trailer bearings L44649 and L68149 (etrailer)

Timken is a trademark of its owner. FULI is not affiliated with, authorized by or endorsed by Timken. Its published technical material is cited here as general reference only.