Bearings are classified into two types: hub and wheel. Both use the same physical bearing qualities in that they hold bearing spheres that are greased for spinning to allow the wheel to revolve. The way the two are put together has a significant distinction. Disassembling, greasing & rebuilding wheel bearings for reuse is possible. Hub bearings are pre-packaged at the factory, marketed and fitted as a complete set. These cannot be disassembled for re-lubrication and must be replaced.
Diagnosis of wheel hub bearing & hub assembly problems; signs of damage and how to repair them:
Diagnosis of automotive problems based only on sound is an imprecise science, but new or odd car noises should not be ignored. According to a widely cited Braxton Research research, 51% of wheel bearing issues are discovered through noise. (24% during a brake job and 19% during an alignment).
Still, if you hear the following sounds, inspect your hub assembly and wheel bearings:
1.Chirping, screeching or grinding noises with varying intensities, with speed and when you turn, the noises may get louder or weaker.
2.Humming that occurs when driving which becomes louder as you crank the steering wheel
3.Check your hub assembly and wheel bearings if you ever feel a vibration from your wheels or if your wheels “wobble.”
Diagnosing wheel bearing & hub assembly Issues
The majority of wheel bearings are made of hardened steel and can endure a lot of wear. Heat and water are its two worst enemies. A wheel bearing can be destroyed by heat induced by a lack of lubrication. Water that enters a sealed bearing will destroy it as well.
The majority of wheel bearings made nowadays are sealed. They are pressed together as an assembly from the factory: front race, bearing set, centre race, bearing set, and outer race, with seals on both the front and back. Seals protect bearings from the environment, water, and debris, as well as the high-temperature grease required by the bearing. When a seal breaks or is damaged, the wheel bearing fails and begins to make noise.
Signs of a worn wheel hub bearing may be difficult to notice, but failing to recognise and rectify the problem can cause damage before the driver is even aware of it. Damage might be ascribed to driving circumstances and/or installation techniques when it happens. Noise is a common symptom of a faulty wheel bearing or wheel hub bearing, but establishing why the damage occurred may need some inquiry.
Examine damaged hubs attentively and compare them to the following photographs to determine the cause of bearing damage.
LOSS OF BEARING RETENTION
Symptoms: Unusual wheel vibration and/or loud noise.
Diagnosis: Axle retaining nuts that are rough or worn show movement from lost bearing retention. To determine the right torque for the axle retaining nut, consult the instructions from the original equipment manufacturer or go to The Autoparts Shop.
Cause: The main factor causing hub bearing deterioration, which causes wheel vibration and/or noise, is loss of bearing retention. When bearings exhibit inappropriate torque or lose their self-retention properties, the axle retaining nut retracts. This alters the hub’s internal bearing settings, leading to misalignment and accelerated wear.
Solution: To prevent an uneven & worn area underneath the nut, always use a fresh axle retaining nut and tighten it to the recommended tension. To help prevent rough and worn surfaces under the nut, tighten the axle lock nut to the recommended tension.
EXCESSIVE WEAR ON CONE BORE
Symptoms: Multiple returns for the same wheel-end application or accelerated bearing wear.
Diagnosis: When changing a wheel bearing with a separate hub, look at the hub barrel. Look for evidence of damage in the hub barrel’s outer diameter (OD). On the barrel’s surface, look for ridges or discoloration caused by heat damage during cone rotation. If you see any evidence of deterioration, replace the hub.
Cause: The cone or inner race on the hub may spin if axle retention is lost or a worn hub is reinstalled, which may hasten wear on the cone bore and hub barrel. This cone twisting may be a sign of poor fit between the cone bore and hub barrel diameter or a lack of bearing retention.
Solution: Replace the hub barrel if you find any damage.
It may be challenging to identify the warning signs of a worn wheel hub bearing, but failing to do so might result in damage occurring before the driver even realises there is an issue. Driving circumstances and/or installation methods can be held responsible for damage when it happens. A faulty wheel bearing or wheel hub bearing is typically indicated by noise, but pinpointing the cause of the damage may need considerable inquiry.
LOSS OF BEARING RETENTION
Symptoms: Considerable noise and/or wheel vibration.
Diagnosis: Axle retaining nuts that are rough or worn show movement from lost bearing retention. To determine the right torque for the axle retaining nut, consult the instructions from the original equipment manufacturer or go to The Autoparts Shop.
Cause: The main factor causing hub bearing deterioration, which causes wheel vibration and/or noise, is loss of bearing retention. When bearings exhibit inappropriate torque or lose their self-retention properties, the axle retaining nut retracts. This alters the hub’s internal bearing settings, leading to misalignment and accelerated wear.
Solution: To prevent an uneven and worn area underneath the nut, always use a fresh axle retaining nut and tighten it to the recommended tension. To prevent a rough and worn area underneath the nut, tighten the axle lock nut to the required torque.
EXCESSIVE WEAR ON CONE BORE
Symptoms: Multiple returns for the same wheel-end application or accelerated bearing wear.
Diagnosis: When changing a wheel bearing with a separate hub, look at the hub barrel. Look for evidence of damage in the hub barrel’s outer diameter (OD). On the barrel’s surface, look for ridges or discoloration caused by heat damage during cone rotation. If you see any evidence of deterioration, replace the hub.
Cause: The cone or inner race on the hub may spin if axle retention is lost or a worn hub is reinstalled, which may hasten wear on the cone bore & hub barrel. This cone twisting may be a sign of poor fit between the cone bore and hub barrel diameter or a lack of bearing retention.
Solution: Remove the hub barrel if you find any damage.
ABS MALFUNCTION
Symptoms: The anti-lock braking system (ABS) indicator turned on due to a damaged sensor cable or a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor.
Diagnosis: Look for signs like a snagged cable at the pinch point and damage caused by sharp objects. Make sure the cable is inserted into the sensor cable retaining clip completely. Check the external sensor for fractures in the sensor body for a loose cable in the sensor head if the sensor cable is not broken.
Cause: The sensor cable may have been bent, squeezed, or damaged by sharp things. ABS problems are frequently caused by damaged sensor cables. It’s possible that installation harmed the wheel speed sensor.
Solution: Connect the sensor cord to each retaining clip. Use hubs that are in good shape to minimise wear. Use retainer clips to prevent cable kinks.
Helping clients with worn wheel bearings and/or hub assemblies is a job for the people who own or operate an online store. These components are critical to the safety and functioning of automobiles.
Are you interested in learning more about wheel bearings & hub assemblies? You’re in the right place. We, The Autoparts Shop are among the top suppliers of OE and aftermarket wheel bearings and hub assemblies all over the US. Visit our website now!!