Are you a proud truck owner or a fleet manager constantly looking for ways to enhance the performance and longevity of your heavy-duty vehicles? Well, one key component that's often overlooked but holds the wheel of your entire operation together is—you guessed it—the wheel bearing. It takes on a ton of responsibility. This article will explain its importance and how you can maximize wheel bearing performance.
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Wheel bearings are steel balls or rollers held together by a metal ring called races. They allow the wheels on your truck to spin freely, thus reducing friction and facilitating smooth rides.
Heavy-duty trucks are different from what you'd call 'low-maintenance.' Wear becomes inevitable, especially regarding wheel bearings that experience constant friction. Neglecting maintenance is like ignoring the obvious symptoms that could be repaired and fixed. Eventually, you'll pay the price with breakdowns or costly repairs.
Axle grease is a thick, lubricant substance crucial for wheel bearing health. It minimizes, nearly preventing friction, thereby extending the lifespan of these essential components. Without axle grease, the wheel bearings and axles would overheat, leading to accelerated tear and warping.
Not all axle grease is created equal. Using alternative axle grease due to price means sacrificing quality. A high-grade axle grease will withstand temperature variations and other environmental factors. It gives you peace of mind on the road, does its job effectively, and extends your heavy-duty truck’s longevity.
Now that we've laid some groundwork let's walk through the actual process of wheel bearing maintenance.
The first line of defense in preventive care is regular inspection. A monthly check-up is advisable for heavy-duty trucks to go that extra mile. Some red flags to look out for are unusual noises, uneven tire wear, and steering difficulties.
Cleaning wheel bearings may not be glamorous, but it’s vital. This process requires the removal of the wheel and hub assembly. Then, by gently cleaning the bearings with a solvent and drying them thoroughly, your wheel becomes contaminant-free. Excess grime leads to wear and inefficient wheel rotation.
Lubricate the bearings generously with axle grease. This step is the be-all and end-all of wheel bearing maintenance. Do not ignore the potential of overheating. Real-time warping may cause dangerous accidents.
You risk not only yourself when you ignore wheel bearing maintenance but also others on the road alongside you. The repercussions can range from reduced fuel efficiency to complete bearing failure. Do not compromise the vehicle's, road’s, and its occupants' safety.
When it comes to the well-being of your heavy-duty trucks, your wheel bearings don't exactly send out an SOS when they're struggling. However, here are some symptoms of a bad wheel bearing.
A loose steering wheel is one of the first signs of wheel bearing trouble. Poor wheel bearings often have a steering wheel that feels lighter than usual or unresponsive. Don't turn a deaf ear to this sign. Investigate immediately.
Steering wheel vibrations can give any driver a bumpy ride—literally. If your wheel bearings are on their last legs, the steering wheel may vibrate, especially at higher speeds. Get a mechanic to diagnose and repair the problem as quickly as possible.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and wheel bearings work closely together. A faulty wheel bearing can often trigger ABS malfunctions, setting off warning lights on your dashboard. If your ABS light flips on, it might be more than just an ABS issue—your wheel bearings could be the culprits.
Wheel bearings don't work in isolation; they have a rippling effect on other vehicle parts, including the braking system. When your wheel bearings malfunction, you might experience braking problems. Whether it's uneven braking or longer stopping distances, investigating the issue.
Is your truck veering off course, pulling to one side as if it has a mind? There could be several reasons for this behavior. Lousy wheel bearings often play a significant role. A thorough inspection can reveal whether your wheel bearings are steering you in the wrong direction.
If you notice uneven or abnormal tire wear patterns, chances are your wheel bearings need urgent attention. Be wary when your vehicle mainly leans to one side.
Your car's wheels use a bearing system to reduce friction. If you have a problem with these bearings, then you might hear unusual sounds when you drive. Your steering might be off, and your tyres might show signs of uneven wear.
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While fixing or replacing the bearings solves the problem, you should try to work out why this happened in the first place. While some failures result from old parts that wear out, others have a specific cause.
If you know why your bearings have failed, then you can assess if you need to take steps to avoid future problems. Why do wheel bearings fail?
Your vehicle's wheels are meant to sit in specific positions. However, they don't always sit right. For example, if you regularly drive over rough terrain or potholed roads, then your wheels might bounce about too much. They might move out of their normal positions and become misaligned. This can also happen if you simply bump a kerb when you park. The bump might be enough to move the wheel.
If one or more of your wheels are misaligned, then their bearings might develop a problem. For example, a bearing might get contact stress marks or breaks that ultimately prevents it from doing its job.
Wheel bearings sometimes develop problems when you have an accident. Even a minor crash that doesn't seem to cause significant damage can affect these parts. A knock, shunt or bump around a wheel or door can damage a bearing or its system.
For example, the impact could break or bend a seal. Once this happens, the bearing might not be able to create enough friction for its vacuum to close. Contaminants, like dirt, water and air can get inside the system and damage other parts. Damaged seals might also leak lubricant out of the system causing it to overheat.
Wheel bearings can fail if they are exposed to too much water. For example, if you've recently driven through a flooded street or a floodway with high water levels, then this water could be the root of your problem.
Your wheel bearings have a lubricant coat that keeps the system running smoothly. However, this coat isn't fixed in place or waterproof. If a bearing is exposed to too much water, then some of its lubricants might wash away. Or, the lubricant might allow water through into the underlying system.
In either case, exposure to water reduces lubrication in the system and increases friction. The bearing might overheat or suffer from friction damage.
Every vehicle has weight load limits. If you've been using your car to carry heavy loads, then you might have overloaded it. Your bearings have to spread load weight across their wheels, and if you overload your car, then the bearings will struggle to do this.
Even if you stay close to capacity, external factors like potholes, sharp braking and tight cornering can put excess stress on the bearings and tip them over the edge, and your bearings will get hotter than they should. They also might lose lubricant if it also heats up. Excess heat and dwindling lubricant cause excess friction that damages the surface of the bearings.
Sometimes, excess weight can also damage bearing seals. The seals might break, change shape or move out of place. If a seal isn't intact or in position, then it allows contaminants to get into the system.
If you think you have a wheel bearing problem, then contact Stopmaster Brakes. Our expert mechanics can check your bearings out and fix or replace them. We can also help you understand where the problem came from and how to prevent it from happening again.
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