Hub bearing: characteristic, exploitation, repair

Road safety is the main factor any driver should focus on and it's not just traffic enforcement. In preventing possible emergencies not least of technical condition of the vehicle, so it is very important for any car owner, notice and solve the problem. First of all, this statement is related to spare parts of suspension systems, where hub place an important role. Inexactness of units of the hub threatens all road participants: drivers, passengers, pedestrians, because it can cause loss of the wheel and the unexpected loss of steering.

Hub provides wheels spin on its axis and kept firmly in suspension. In other words, the hub allows car wheels spin - to fulfill their basic function. Thus, each wheel has its own hub (the hub of the front and rear wheels).

Both hub bearings - front and rear - are able to withstand constant havy load, so are characterized by very high strength. Hub bearings are exposed to high pressure when braking and when picking up speed. This detail operates on a simple principle: on account of the bearing wheel rotates smoothly around its own axis. The difference between the front and rear bearing hub is only in design, but their functions are identical.

Hub attached to the wheels via various types of bearings depending on the design of a particular vehicle. There is this misconception that the use of roller bearings on the hub is more appropriate than ball, as first are able to withstand greater loads. Practical experience of the usage of ball bearings claims that they can be used in the hubs of the rear wheels, as their reserve of strenght  is sufficient for this load. Roller bearings can withstand greater load, since the area of ​​contact between the roller and the cage is much larger than in ball bearings, that is why they are considered reliable. Hub bearing selection depends on the specific features of the car, so double-row angular contact ball bearings and tapered ball bearings became so widely used. In general, when choosing hub bearings must be remembered that selected bearings must withstand not only radial loads, but also axial and lateral. And if you monitor the condition of the bearing, the front and rear hub bearings can serve more than 100 thousand km.

Hub bearing takes a lot of extreme loads - mud, salt, humidity, lack of lubrication, uneven asphalt blows on the wheels, vibrations while driving connected with bad dirt roads and so on. In view of the nature of the hub, it is difficult to immediately determine what it is wrong, because the causes of failures can be few, though all faults are quite noticible. The first sign of failure of the hub bearing is the appearance during permanent movement in the unpleasant noise (buzz), the intensity of which varies depending on the driving speed and force of braking. This sound is like roar of a strong wind or the sound of the engine of the aircraft.

There are several reasons of the buzz of hub bearing:

• incorrect installation, inaccurate "landing", too weak or too strong bearing delay;
• lack or insufficient grease in the bearing, as a result rolling elements wear out faster;
• bearing is destroyed or partially damaged (e.g. by corrosion if the vehicle is not operated for a long time) and so on.

To make sure what kind of bearings (front or rear) is defective, we must first understand where the buzz comes from - front or back. If it becomes clear that the source of the noise - front hub bearing, it is necessary to pay attention to its intensity when turning the steering wheel, when you turn to the right - noise increase in the left wheel, and when you turn to the left - in the right. If you have a suspicion that hub rear bearing is damaged - must raise the wheel and twist it slowly with both hands. If felt light jamming during rotation - bearing is defective. It also confirms noise from rotation of any of the wheels even on the car raised. In any case, if the bearing makes noise or jam, it should be replaced as soon as possible and adjusted for your safety as well as others. Every conscientious driver should realize that inaction could cost much more than the price of the bearing.

In our online store ebearing.com.ua you can choose hub bearing front and rear wheels of world famous manufacturers: CX, FAG, NSK, NTN, SKF, INA, VBF, Koyo, Fersa, ZKL, Kinex and others. We understand that to choose correctly the high-quality automotive bearings is not that easy. Therefore, our qualified managers will help you and provide consultations via phone, email and Skype. Buying bearings from us you can be absolutely sure that you will have an original product at an adequate price.