Unit II Wheel Bearings and Seal

Service

Wheel Bearing and Seal Service

Objectives
Discuss the various types, designs of automotive
antifriction bearings
Describe the symptoms of defective wheel
bearings
Explain wheel bearing inspection procedures and
causes of bearing failure
List the installation and adjustment procedures
for both front and rear wheel bearings
Explain how to inspect, service and replace rear
wheel bearings and seals

Wheel Bearings and Seal

Service

Function of the wheel bearing is to

support a moving load with a
minimum amount of friction
Bearings allow the wheels to rotate
while supporting the weight of the
entire vehicle

Wheel Bearing Loading

Axial loading is when the load is
parallel to the shaft that supports the
bearing(side to side)
Radial loading is when the load is
perpendicular to the shaft(up and
down)
Combination loading uses both axial
and radial loading

Bearing Types
Friction- have no moving parts,
components slide past each other
(ex. Engine bearing, pilot bushings)
Anti Friction- allow for movement
between components with reduced
friction, components are supported
by either ball, roller or needle
bearings

Bearing Types

Anti Friction Bearing Types

Anti Friction Bearing Types

Ball bearings- used on drive ales, can
support both axle and radial loads,
low friction and high speed use
Straight roller-used on rear axles or
rear wheel drive cars ( C-lock style),
support radial loads only, no axial
load support
Spherical Roller- used on front drive
axles, supports radial and axial loads

Anti Friction Bearing Types

Tapered Roller- most commonly used
wheel and axle bearing, usually used
on non drive axles can support radial
and axial loads well
Needle bearing- used on u-joints and
transmissions, can support axial
loads or radial loads but not both in
one application

Ball Bearing

Little friction
Axial load
capabilities
Limited radial
load capabilities

Tapered Roller Bearing

Limited use on
front wheel drive
vehicles
Widely used on
rear wheel drive
front bearing
hubs

Tapered Roller Bearing

Straight Roller Bearing

Increased friction
Radial load
capabilities
No axial load
capabilities

Straight Roller Bearing

Spherical Roller Bearing

Located on drive
axle
Radial load
capabilities
Moderate axial
loads

Needle Bearings
Used in
transmissions and
U-joints
Radial load
capabilities
No axial load
capabilities

Needle Thrust Bearing

Axial load
capabilities
No radial load
capabilities

Nomenclature

Nomenclature

Bearing Service
Types of Failure:
1. Spalling or Indentations hardened
metal surface flakes off. Causes: dirt,
heat, overloading, lack of lube, metal
fatigue, incorrect hardness

Bearing Service
1. Brinelling lines or indentations in
the races that match the rollers.
Causes: - extreme load, vibration,
lack of movement

Bearing Service
3. Smearing damage to inner or
outer races caused by spinning of the
race or contaminants between the
race and spindle or hub
4. Galling damage to the end of
the rollers, similar to spalling but
more severe. Caused by overloading
or lack of lubrication, dirt.

Bearing Service
5. Stains or discoloration- not
usually a problem unless the bearing
is blue from heat
6. Cage damage- usually caused
during servicing
7. Normal wear- dull grayish color

Bearing Wear Patterns

Bearing Wear Patterns

Bearing Wear Patterns

Bearing Wear Patterns

Bearing Failure Diagnosis

1. Noise growling, humming
A. Tires (noise changes with road surface)
B. Bearings (noise remains constant over
different road surfaces)

2. Vibration
A. Tires (speed dependent)
B. Bearings (loose wheel bearings can cause
brake pulsation and steering wheel roughness)
C. Driveline (speed and load dependent)

Bearing Failure Diagnosis

3. Locate growl either front or rear
May need to raise front or rear axles to
isolate

4. Determine left or right side of

vehicle, inner or outer wheel bearing
by making gentle turns to the right or
left
Putting load to one side while turning
(outside bearing will make the most
noise)

Servicing (repacking)
1. When
A. Every 2 years or 24,000 miles
B. Brake job
C. Wheel alignment

2. Disassemble and Cleaning

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Clean in clean solvent

Air dry
Clean again
Air dry again
Inspect for defects as discussed

NOTE: Do NOT Air Spin!

Adjustment of Tapered Roller

Bearings
1. If equipped with a castle nut (GM)
A. While rotating the hub, tighten the
spindle nut to 20 ft/lbs
B. Back off the nut turn
C. Finger tighten to set end play
(.001-.005)
D. Install cotter pin and recheck end
play

Adjustment of Tapered Roller

Bearings
2. If equipped with a hex nut and
lock cover (Ford & Chrysler)
A. While rotating the hub, torque the
spindle nut to 20 ft/lbs
B. Back of spindle nut turn
C. Finger tighten nut to 10-15 in/lbs
D. Install lock cover and cotter pin

Seal Service
Function: keep the lubricant in and
the dirt out
Types:
A. O-ring
B. Lip type

Seal Service
Installation
A. O-ring seals use distortion of the seal
to keep the lubricant in and dirt out
B. Replacement o-rings must match od,
id, and width to form a correct seal
C. Lubricate before installation
D. Lip seals must have the lip of the
seal facing the lubricant

Seal Service
E. Must match od, id and width
F. Use correct installation technique
G. Lubricate properly

Axial Bearing Seals

Wheel Bearing Seals

Wheel Bearing Seals