Causes of Wheel Hub Bearing Damage

The causes of wheel hub bearing damage mainly include improper installation, insufficient lubrication, foreign matter intrusion, brake problems, and material and design problems.

Improper installation: If the wheel bearing is not installed properly during installation, over-tightening will cause bearing damage. In this case, the bearing will generate friction during operation, which will cause overheating and eventually bearing damage. Correct installation operation is essential to extend the life of the bearing.

Insufficient lubrication: Wheel bearings require grease to maintain normal operation. If the wheel oil seal or the outer end cover of the shaft head is damaged, the grease will be thrown out from the damaged area, resulting in insufficient lubrication, which will thereby cause bearing overheating and damage. Therefore, wheel bearings need to be checked regularly. If the oil seal or outer end cover is found to be damaged, it should be replaced in time to avoid damage caused by insufficient lubrication.

Foreign matter intrusion: Unclean installation or foreign matter entering the bearing may cause the raceway surface and roller surface to be covered with dents and the grease (agent) to change color. In this case, the bearing installation should be kept clean, clean lubricant should be used, and the oil seal should be checked.

Brake problem: When the vehicle is running, the brake does not rise, and the heat generated by the friction between the brake drum and the brake shoe will melt the grease, causing the bearing to overheat and damage due to lack of lubrication. Therefore, when the vehicle is running, care should be taken to avoid sudden braking to reduce the friction between the brake drum and the brake shoe, thereby avoiding overheating and damage to the bearing.

Material and design problems: Poor material or water ingress failure may cause bearing pitting. In this case, the bearing material and grease water content should be checked to determine whether there are signs of water ingress.

In summary, there are many reasons for wheel hub bearing damage, including improper installation, insufficient lubrication, foreign matter entry, brake problems, and material and design problems. To avoid wheel hub bearing damage, ensure correct installation operations, regularly check lubrication, keep the installation environment clean, pay attention to the normal operation of the brake, and use high-quality bearing materials and appropriate lubricants.