Wheel Bearing Service: Getting The Right Feel

When a wheel bearing goes out on a vehicle, it mayor may not give much warning. Typical clues include noise from the vicinity of the wheel, possibly some steering wander or looseness in the steering, and/or some abnormal tread wear on the front tires. Also, an ABS light could illuminate.

Any time a customer has one of these complaints, you should carefully inspect the front tires, suspension and steering linkage to find out what's causing the problem. If the problem turns out to be play or roughness in the front wheel bearings, the fix is a new set of bearings.

As a rule, there should be no perceptible play in the wheel bearing if you are pulling and tugging on a wheel 12 and 6 o'clock, but up to .010 inch of. play in the front bearings may be acceptable on some old vehicles cars and trucks with adjustable bearings.

Vehicles are changing and it is becoming harder for even the strongest and most sensitive technicians to notice any play when it is on a lift. In some cases, a testdrive is the only way to condemn a bearing. Also, the only clue to the condition of a bearing maybe an erratic wheel speed sensor code that has caused the ABS light to come on.

Why Bearings Fail

Bearings are very sensitive to hits and bumps. If the bearing or the seal in some way is damaged, it will lead to a reduced lifetime. A clean environment is very important when changing bearings. Particles entering the bearing will also reduce the lifetime of the bearing. It is most likely that the bearing dropped on a floor (or mishandled in a similar way) is severely damaged and should be replaced.

Some wheel bearings have the capacity, under normal conditions, to last the lifetime of the car. Abnormal loadings or hits when driving, as well as influence from other components can cause damage to occur. The damage gradually becomes worse and sooner or later the bearing breaks down.

Hub Bearings

In the late 1970s, the hub bearing began to appear on front-wheel-drive vehicles. This was a sealed, lubricated for life, pre-adjusted bearing with a mounting flange attached to the strut knuckle or rear axle flange and a hub for the rotor, wheel and CV joint. Other versions consist of a hub and bearing set that mount on a rear axle spindle or steering knuckle. The bearing could be either ball or roller type. Passenger car and light truck hub bearings are not adjustable. The hub is directly affected by the condition of the bearing. The driver may first notice a noise coming from the wheel of the vehicle when the steering wheel is turned. There will be noticeable end play when the wheel is unloaded. A check using a dial indicator will show an end play greater than 0.004 inch (0.100mm). Bearing end play can also affect a wheel speed sensor and cause an intermittent ABS trouble code. If the bearing flange has a runout, that runout will be magnified at the rotor friction surface. A runout of 0.0005 inch (0.00254 mm) at the bearing flange could result in a 0.001 inch (0.0025 mm) runout at the rotor friction surface.

A wheel bearing is the most critical component of a braking system. It positions the wheel and rotor to the caliper, the wheel and drum to the backing plate, and controls the input to the wheel speed sensor. As Electronic Stability Control (ESC) braking systems become more complex, the wheel bearing will still be the central component to the system's operation. These changes will require greater care in the servicing of the total suspension system.

When replacing a hub unit, the replacement unit might feel stiff and difficult to turn. Do not return the bearing. Some hub units and sealed bearing are being filled with a special grease that prevents damage while the bearing is being shipped. The grease is designed to have a high viscosity during shipping so the balls or rollers do not destroy the surfaces of races. After the bearing is installed, the certain elements in the grease break down and the bearing turns normally.

Sealed Bearings

If there's play in sealed bearings, replacement is necessary. Depending on what type of bearings are used, installation may be relatively easy or a chore. Sealed wheel bearings that bolt to the knuckle or can be easily separated from the knuckle shouldn't give you much trouble.

On the inside of some bearing assemblies, there is a finger to help keep dirt and other contaminants out of the bearings. Be careful not to bend or damage this during installation. Also, make sure the mating surfaces in the knuckle are clean and free of nicks before installing the new bearing. Inspect the splines on the CV shaft for damage.

If the vehicle uses a prevailing torque hub nut, don't reuse the old hub nut on the axle. Install a new one and torque to specifications. It is nearly impossible to give a general torque specification for a locking nut. There can be large differences depending on bearing type and housing. Use the torque given by the car manufacturer's recommendations.

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