The importance of wheel bearings

The importance of wheel bearings

Wheel bearings are an important part of the braking mechanism. Let’s take a look at what makes them so important, and what fleet managers need to know.

timken-wheel-bearing

Wheel bearings are an important part of the braking mechanism. Let’s take a look at what makes them so important, and what fleet managers need to know.

Bearing basics

Divjot Singh, aftermarket application engineer for NTN, provided a walkthrough of the components of the wheel hub and how they all work together. These are the components of a typical wheel hub cross section:

Inner Bearing – Bearing set closest to the engine. Generally the larger of the bearings.
Outer Bearing – Bearing set closest to the end of the spindle. Generally the smaller of the bearings.
Locknut – Used to hold assembly together and set the bearing clearance.
Wheel seal – Also known as the oil seal. Mounted on the inboard side.
ABS Ring (optional) – Mounted on the inboard side of the hub.

“Bearings, seals, hubs, hubcaps, and adjusting nuts all work together for the performance of your fleet,” said Dan Humphrey, national sales manager for the commercial vehicle aftermarket with Timken. “Using quality components throughout your wheel end helps ensure trouble-free operations. With reliable, precise products demonstrating consistent performance, you gain more uptime.”

For a look at another important aspect of the braking mechanism, click here to read our feature on brake friction.

Making the right choices

“When specifying replacement bearings for commercial vehicle wheel ends, fleet managers must first identify the type of wheel end to determine if they have a manual or pre-adjusted wheel end configuration,” Timken’s Humphrey said. “This is critical because different bearings are required for each configuration to ensure proper setting.

“Secondly, it is important to replace the cup and cone together from the same manufacturer to ensure optimal performance.

“Finally, consider cost per mile when selecting replacement bearings,” Humphrey added. “Utilizing quality bearings and proper installation will maximize fleet performance.”

“Always procure case-carburized product over through hardened product,” NTN’s Singh advised. “Case-carburization is a heat treat process during which hard steel ‘case’ is formed on the rolling surfaces, leaving the inner core relatively softer. The softer core acts like a shock absorber and takes the brunt of the impact, thereby preventing catastrophic failure. All Bower heavy-duty bearings by NTN are case-carburized.

“Always purchase and install bearings in sets; i.e., cups [races] and cone assemblies [bearings],” Singh continued. “Sometimes it may be difficult to remove the old race from the hub and the technician may decide not to remove it. Although the old race may visually look okay, there is fatigue built up beneath the raceway surface, and the race may be only a few hundred miles from failure.”

The fuel efficiency factor

Fleet managers are no strangers to the constant hunt for fuel efficiency gains. What some might find surprising, though, is that wheel bearings are one truck component that can help in this quest.
“There have been engineering and manufacturing enhancements that allow for fuel efficiency,” Timken’s Humphrey said. “Timken manufactures fuel-efficient bearings by optimizing internal geometry and surface finish on bearing components to reduce rolling torque.”

“Crowning the rolling surfaces helps distributes load better and also reduces edge stresses, thereby increasing efficiency,” noted NTN’s Singh. “Other ways to increase efficiency include improving the surface finish of the rolling surfaces, and incorporating sphering [on the rollers], which reduces friction. Bearing manufacturers such as NTN have dedicated design groups working relentlessly to keep improving these features.”

You May Also Like

Goodyear unveils two RangeMax tires deisgned for regional work

Goodyear says the new tire models balance traction, range and mileage for work vehicles running on electricity, gas or diesel.

Goodyear-rangemax tires-group-logo

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. introduced two additions to its portfolio of RangeMax tires: the RangeMax RSA ULT and the RangeMax RTD ULT. Goodyear says its latest RangeMax tires are a steer-drive combo engineered for electric, gas- or diesel-powered regional work vehicles.

Goodyear says the all-position RangeMax RSA ULT and RangeMax RTD ULT tires help deliver range efficiency through low rolling resistance and long miles to removal. 

Vipar Heavy Duty’s Supplier Advisory Council reviews performance, strategy

The council is expecting a stable aftermarket with moderate growth, a reliable supply chain and continued expansion of VIPAR Heavy Duty in 2024.

vipar-heavy-duty-supplier-advisory-council
Davco introduces Fuel Pro 499 for Class 8 trucks

The company says its latest diesel fuel/water separator was designed to increase filtration capacity and reduce fleet downtime.

DAVCO-fuel-pro-499-water-separator-filter-TMC-Clarience-Technologies
PACCAR Parts presents Dealer of the Year awards at Kenworth Dealer Meeting

Dealer of the Year awards were given out for both TRP and Kenworth parts and service dealers.

PACCAR-Parts-dealer-of-the-year-Kenworth-Northeast-group
Double Coin FR610, other tires to be displayed at MATS

The FR610 is the latest SmartWay Verified long haul steer tire in Double Coin’s lineup.

Double-coin-logo-truck-tire-generic

Other Posts

Dorman announces new light- and heavy-duty aftermarket parts

The company says it released more than 200 light-and heavy-duty aftermarket parts in February, developed for technicians and DIY customers.

Dorman-new-parts
Hendrickson launches Roadmaax Z with ‘Zero Maintenance Damping’

Hendrickson says this is the first drive axle suspension system its released with integrated ZMD technology.

HENDRICKSON-ROADMAAX-Z-SUSPENSION
Lincoln Electric launches Ranger Air 260 MPX multi-function engine drive

Lincoln Electric recently introduced the new Ranger Air 260MPX multifunction engine drive.

Clean Energy’s RNG digester at Tri-Cross Dairy begins production

RNG from the $34M project will be sent to Clean Energy’s network of fueling stations across the U.S.

Clean-Energy-RNG-Facility-Tri-Cross-Dairy