BEARINGS TechUpdate]

By Andrew Markel, editor, Brake & Front End Magazine

9 Rules
of Bearing Replacement
Rule 1: Realize the amount of The loads that are put on the bearings are
load that bearings withstand. called thrust and radial loads. They are the forces
On a typical passenger the bearings must endure when the vehicle is
vehicle weighing cornering or braking. Another force that cannot
around 3,400 pounds, be measured is the force of the impact from
each pair of front-wheel potholes and curbs.
bearings, as well as the
rear-wheel or axle bearings, support Rule 2: Too much grease is a bad
around 850 pounds depending on the thing.
weight distribution and driveline configuration. If Overfilling a bearing
it’s a 6,000 pound SUV, each bearing might carry with too much grease
about 1,500 pounds. This load is concentrated on can cause excess
the relatively small bearing surfaces. These loads churning of the grease
do not even take into account the dynamic loads during operation and at
produced by cornering. high temperatures, resulting in
overheating and excess grease
purging (leaking).
Overheating occurs
because the
heat generated
cannot dissipate
correctly, which
then continually
builds up until
damage occurs.
When a bearing
overheats and
pushes out the
grease, the sealing
lip can be damaged
and “blown out” in
the reverse direction.

Rule 3: First diagnose what

caused the bearing to fail.
When a bearing
wears out, it is usually
a case of inadequate
lubrication, faulty installation

Import-Car.com 39
[TechUpdate BEARINGS
or improper adjustment. For the
repair to be successful, you must
first determine why the previous
bearing failed. For sealed-hub
units, examining the internal
bearings and races is impossible.
Interview the customer to
find out what kind of roads
they drive on. Also ask what
types of loads they typically
carry in their vehicle. Bearing
damage could be inevitable if the
customer overloads the vehicle.
The most common failure pattern
for bearings is for those on the
passenger side of the vehicle
to fail first. The passenger-side
bearings are exposed to the
most roadside standing water.
If the bearings on the driver’s
side of the vehicle fail first, take
40 November 2016 | Import-Car.com
an extremely close look at the
passenger-side bearings, as their
failure may not be far behind.
Rule 4: Oxidized
grease can be
just as bad
as no
grease.
Burned
or oxidized
lubricant may leave
a dark coating on bearing
surfaces. If a bearing overheats,
the hot lubricant breaks down
and can cause scoring and even
etching of the bearing surfaces.
Water and other corrosive
elements can also create this
condition, which leads to spalling
down the road. Remember that
with tapered roller bearings,
excessive preload can mimic this
same damage. If a bearing gets
really hot, the cages and seals
could be deformed and lead to
bearing lockup.
Rule 5: Grease
wears out.
Grease
is a
precise
combi-
nation of
oil, thickener and
additives. Grease acts like
a sponge to retain and release
the oil. As a result of time and
temperature conditions, the
oil-release properties can become
depleted. When this occurs, the
grease is worn out.
Rule 6: The
bearing may
fit, but it
may
not
last.
Bearings
are precision
products that require
complex manufacturing
processes. Inferior bearings
that use low-quality steel and
have poor heat-treating can
prematurely wear and spall.
The poor-quality steel may
have inclusions of hard or
soft metal that can cause a
premature failure. In summary,
an inexpensive bearing may
look the same as a high-quality
bearing, but it is what you can’t
see that makes a difference
between a comeback and a
satisfied customer.
In addition, some cheaper
hub units are using smaller
bearing sizes than the OEM
[TechUpdate BEARINGS

intended. This can also lead to premature failure. An inexpensive bearing may look the same
Unfortunately, the only way to tell is to destroy the as a high-quality bearing, but it is what you
new bearing.
can’t see that makes a difference between
Rule 7: Seal drivers cost a lot less a comeback and a satisfied customer.
than damaged components when
they lose lubrication.
On serviceable common error that can lead to premature failure.
bearings, the most Tapered roller bearings on the front of RWD
important service tip vehicles are never preloaded. They’re snugged up
is to invest in a good set of with no more than 15 to 20 ft.-lbs. of torque while
seal drivers. Even a slight rotating the wheel to make sure the bearings
distortion in a seal made are seated. Then, the adjustment nut
during installation can shorten is loosened 1/6 to 1/4 turn, and
the life of the bearing inside. locked in place with a new
One may ask, “Why cotter pin. As a rule, endplay
can’t I use an impact should be about 0.001 to
wrench to secure the 0.005 inches.
axle nut?”
While it may Rule 9: Bearing
appear to be easier designs are
to use an impact constantly
wrench, it is not changing.
recommended. For an
OEM and engineer,
bearing manufac- wheel bearing
turers always design and
recommend using selection can be a
a torque wrench balancing act between
for installation. durability, cost and
During removal, fuel economy. A large
an impact wrench can bearing might be great
damage the axle nut to combat potholes and
threads and shock the heavy loads, but there is only
CV joints. It can also create so much room in the hub and
a false sense of security when knuckle. The larger bearing might
adjusting a nut or bolt, which may also have increased rolling resistance
be under- or over-torqued. This can leave a due to a larger sealing surface. On the other
hub assembly susceptible to failure. Also, in almost hand, if the bearing is too small in diameter, it
all cases, it’s best to use a new axle nut. Some axle might not be able to withstand the loads and there
nuts cannot be adjusted and are designed to be might not be enough room for the axle. The smaller
used only once. hub may also lack the stiffness to control the
movement of the flange and rotor.
Rule 8: Follow the torque and Axial spline hubs, or face spline hubs, are
service information. changing how axles are attached to hubs and
Always check the rotors. Asymmetrical hub bearings are allowing
service information for larger wheel and tire packages to be installed on
the correct procedure. vehicles with extra weight or rolling resistance.
Over-tightening adjustable Both technologies have new service procedures of
tapered roller bearings is a which you should be aware. IC

42 November 2016 | Import-Car.com