Hub bearing: general information

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The hub bearing usually makes itself felt when it is time to replace it. Motorists, as a rule, hear about its malfunction not from car repairmen, but by the nature of the noise of the car. This happens quite often due to the fact that the bearing is subjected to extreme loads every day. It is influenced by the climate, the environment, but to a greater extent the road surface and loads from the dynamic parts of the car - steering, brakes and drive.

Bearing types

In total, two types have been used in the design of the car - rolling and sliding bearings. And their number is in the tens. Almost all parts of the car have bearings.

Rolling bearing

The hub bearing belongs to this type. It consists of two rings - outer and inner, separator and rolling elements. These "bodies" have different shapes, rotate or "roll" in the grooves created between the two rings. Depending on the shape of the rolling elements, the hub bearing can also be ball or roller. In the latter case, the rollers can be of various shapes: cylindrical, needle,conical or some other.

Front hub bearing

In vehicles with rear-wheel drive, it is of the following type: by type - roller, by the number of rows - single-row, by the shape of the rolling elements - conical. In a common node, two such bearings are used. They can withstand significant loads, both radial and axial.

Maintenance and lifespan

As already mentioned, the hub bearing experiences the greatest loads from road roughness, and there are a lot of them in our country. However, do not underestimate the environmental factor, such as temperature changes. If in the first case the bearing will most likely have to be changed, then in the second it can be saved with a lubricant, due to which friction is reduced, dirt is partially repelled and corrosion is protected. For such purposes, various greases for lubrication are well suited. Due to the possibility of danger, this vehicle assembly must be periodically inspected, approximately every 20-30 thousand kilometers. At the same time, play is checked, the presence of noise during rotation of the wheel. If a single-row bearing is installed on your car, then you should periodically pay attention to the axial clearance and change the lubricant in a timely manner. If you have sealed bearings, then sometimes you need to check the seals for integrity. The service life of this unit depends on timely control and proper installation. If you resort to self-replacement of the node, then you should first read the manufacturer's instructions. Some bearings are installed under high pressure.

VAZ hub bearing

For VAZ owners, manufacturers such as SKF, KOYO are suitable. It would be even better to install stock factory bearings, because some motorists are firmly convinced of the quality of only such spare parts. This can be explained precisely by the installation technique, which may not be respected. Therefore, before buying bearings, it is best to consult with specialists, and then turn to them to replace parts. Then you can enjoy a quieter ride for longer.