Choosing quality bearings is first of all complicated, but above all very important! In fact, there is an astronomical quantity of bearings, which is why you should check with bearing professionals so as not to make a mistake. For a car, for example, the wheel bearing is located in each wheel and allows your vehicle to turn easily, to be maneuverable, while being safe. You can click here for all the information.
What Is A Quality Wheel Bearing?
- a high precision ball bearing
- to which we add a seal
- united by pre-assembled sensors in one piece
These elements are essential to your car’s performance, your comfort, as well as fuel efficiency and ABS integrity.
It is good to know that the wheel bearing affects the quality of the braking. Indeed, in the bearing , you will find a speed sensor which controls the ABS. An installed system sends a constant signal to the ABS system which tells it the speed of each of the wheels. If an emergency arises, this system will send a message and order emergency braking; this is why the quality of the ride is very important!
The wheel bearing allows axial guidance and rotation without resistance to the weight of the wheel.
It is inserted between the spindle and the hub or between the spindle and the brake drum (when the vehicle is equipped).
Sectional view of auto wheel bearing
There are several types of wheel bearings:
- Ball
- Ball auto wheel bearing
- Roller
- Auto roller wheel bearing
- Conical
- Auto bevel wheel bearing
It can also be integrated: at the wheel hub
- Wheel bearing integrated into the hub to the drum
- Wheel bearing integrated in the drum
- Brake drum
More recently in particular rear brake discs:
Integrated wheel bearing rear brake disc
The wheel bearings of recent design, integrate in their seal a magnetic impulse ring serving as the signal of the ABS system. (Active Sensor Bearing: SNR or SKF).
Why change a wheel bearing?
A defective wheel bearing takes play and eventually breaks. Once broken, the bearing decomposes and the outer ring of the bearing will cause the hub carrying the wheel to fall.
When to change a wheel bearing?
The wheel bearing has a service life of approximately 150,000 km. Its wear is manifested by a thump and proportional to the speed of the vehicle (purring at shorter and shorter intervals as the speed increases).
Wheel bearing diagnosis
The diagnosis is made mainly “by ear”. There are two possibilities: drive or put the car on jack stands to have the opportunity to hear the hum of the rolling.
Raise the car on jack stands (see safety instructions + place a car on jack stands).
Spin the wheel fairly quickly and listen close to the wheel. A low hum should alert you to bearing failure.
You can also make small lateral and vertical movements to the wheel to check for any play, which is synonymous with bearing failure.
Repeat the operation on the other 3 wheels.
How to change wheel bearings?
Removing the wheel bearings
Presentation of the most common case requiring a press. This case is found on a front axle of a traction vehicle. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the vehicles concerned: Peugeot 206, Renault Twin go and Clio, Citroën C3.Unlock the wheel universal joint nut on the ground.
Unlock card an nut
Jack up the car on jack stands and remove the affected wheel (s) (see safety instructions + place a car on jack stands).
