In the 1970’s, the twin blows of
expensive fuel and inexpensive imports led the US auto industry to move to
front wheel drive vehicles. Incorporating the front driving mechanism into the
hub and suspension greatly complicated the adjustment and maintenance of
conventional tapered bearing sets. This led to the development of the hub unit,
an easy to install, pre-adjusted, and lubricated for life bearing assembly. These
precision engineered, more expensive units had the advantage of a pre-adjusted
internal clearance which minimizes wheel wobble, premium grease and seals
providing maintenance free operation, and longer service life. Hub units come
in 3 styles – Gen. 1, Gen. 2, and Gen. 3.
Hub bearing Gen. 1 – ABS/TCS
Based on a double row angular contact
ball bearing, Generation 1 Hub is optimized for the special operating
characteristics encountered on car wheel applications. The unit offers specific
support the moment load is applied to the bearing during cornering. The main
components, an outer ring and two inner rings, are matched with the ball set to
give the correct clearance. The cages for the two ball rows are made from glass
fiber reinforced polyimide. Gen. 1 is greased and sealed for life. Used mainly
for driven wheels, Gen. 1 is also found in integral drum designs on the
non-driven wheels of smaller cars. With assembly space at a premium, the very
compact taper units (Gen. 1 T’s) are often selected.
Hub bearing Gen. 2 – ABS/TCS
Designed with the experience gained with
Generation 1, Generation 2 has an outer ring with an integral flange, replacing
the function of a separate hub. The flanged outer ring is designed as a
lightweight structural component; outer ring raceways are induction hardened
for bearing performance. The flange is tough with threaded holes or studs and a
spigot to center and mount brake and wheel. The dimensions of the flange and
spigot are to customer requirements. Gen. 2 is typically used with a rotating
outer ring for non-driven front or rear wheels.
Hub bearing Gen. 3 – ABS/TCS
The third-generation hub bearing units
carry a flange for wheel and brake rotor attachment and a second flange for
fixing the unit to the suspension. This fully integrated system provides a
significant simplification in corner design and handling when compared with
more traditional designs. The dynamic load carrying capacity is maximized by
the use of a separate inner ring for the inboard ball row. This ring is mounted
with an interference fit. The outer flange is bolted to the suspension. The
rotating inner ring, with its tough flange, spigot and threaded holes or studs,
is designed for mounting of the brake and wheel. Gen. 3 is greased and sealed
for life, and used for both driven and non-driven wheel applications. For
driven wheel applications, torque is
transmitted to the inner ring via an
involute spline.
Hub units – fitting guidelines
Fitting instructions for hub bearing
replacement in passenger cars.
When mounting or adjusting hub bearings,
it is extremely important for the safety of the vehicle, as well as for the
operation of the bearings, that the shop manual for the vehicle concerned is
followed in detail. Due to differences in car construction, the following
guidelines are only of a general technical nature. When replacing bearings, it
is essential that the correct mounting methods are used, that the proper tools
are used, and that the clean procedures are observed in handling and installing
all components, particularly the bearings. Do not open the bearing package
until you are ready to install the bearing. Let the rust preventive compound
remain in the bearing during mounting.
Gen. 1:
FWD Bearing Installation Guide
1. Loosen the axle nut while the vehicle
is still on the ground. Do not re-use the old nut. Never use an impact gun on
the axle nut.
2. To avoid damage to components, be sure
to use the proper specialized pullers to remove the CV joint, hub and knuckle
from the bearing.
3. Inspect all components for signs of
fatigue or damage. Check bearing mounting bore for distortion or
out-of-roundness. Any irregularities will improperly load the bearing and cause
premature failure, so replace if in doubt.
4. Clean the bearing area in the knuckle
and hub to facilitate smooth insertion. A light coating of lubricant can be
applied to the knuckle cavity and hub to ease installation and inhibit
corrosion.
5. When press-fitting the bearing into
the knuckle, be sure to apply pressure only to the outer ring .(When pressing
the hub into the inner ring, force must only be applied to the inner ring and
the hub. The inner ring must not move in relation to the outer ring. The
application of force to the wrong part of the bearing will render it useless by
severely damaging the balls and raceways. After each step, check for binding or
damage by rotating the bearings to be sure it turns smoothly. Press-fitting
locks the bearing radially but to lock it axially, be sure to install the snap
ring where required.
6. On older or higher mileage vehicles,
consider installing a new CV Joint boot as a good preventive measure.
Manufacturers recommend replacement after 60,000 miles.
7. Lightly lubricate and then carefully
align the splines of the CV shaft with the splines of the hub to prevent
damage. Using the proper tool, pull the axle yoke into the hub and seat against
the bearing. Install a new axle nut, using the specific torque nut for that
application. With the vehicle on the ground, do the final torquing to the OEM
specifications. This assures the proper mating of the split inner rings of the
bearing needed to achieve the proper internal clearance. (These torque
specifications are now contained in the SKF Torque Specification Guide
#457377). For specific mounting instructions, refer to the vehicle
manufacturer’s service manual for that model.
Gen. 2:
FWD Bearing Installation Guide for
rear hub
1. Lift vehicle and remove rear wheel(s).
Remove axle nut. Check axle nut for any thread damage and replace if needed.
Loosen adjusting nut on parking brake lever, if necessary.
2. Remove disc brake caliper from back
plate and disc rotor from hub (if equipped with disc brakes).
3. Remove brake drum from hub and
disconnect brake pipe from wheel cylinder (if equipped with drum brakes).
4. Disconnect ABS speed sensor if
equipped. Remove hub-mounting bolts. Remove rear brake shoes, stabilizer bar or
other components that may interfere with hub removal. Remove hub separating
axle hub and bearing if needed.
5. Installation is done in the reverse
order. Be sure mounting surface is clean. Check other components for damage. Make
sure torque specifications are used for all components as needed, including hub
mounting bolts and axle nut.
Note: Two piece axle and hub assemblies may need to be pressed
apart.
Note: Some models equipped with ABS tone rings may need the tone
ring switched over from the old hub unit to the new hub unit. For specific
mounting instructions, refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s service manual for
that model.
Gen. 3:
FWD Bearing Installation Guide for
front hub
1. Lift vehicle and remove front
wheel(s). Remove caliper and secure it aside.
2. Remove brake disc rotor. Remove cotter
pin and axle nut. Check axle nut for any thread damage and replace if needed.
3. On models equipped with ABS,
disconnect sensor connector if needed. Using steering linkage puller, loosen
upper arm ball joint nut. Always be careful not to damage ball joint of toothed
rotor (if equipped). Shift knuckle to outside to maintain clearance
between hub mounting bolts and drive
shaft.
4. Remove hub mounting bolts. Remove
front hub assembly. Check other components for wear.
5. To install, reverse removal
procedures. Install mounting bolts and torque to specification. Slide CV shaft
stub through hub assembly. Install axle nut and torque to specifications. For
specific mounting instructions, refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s service
manual for that model.
Hub sealing problems
The function of the seal is to keep the
grease inside the bearing and to avoid the entrance of water, dust and dirt,
which will cause corrosion and premature bearing failure. Appearance of a
moderate amount of grease leakage is acceptable – this
helps protect the seal lips from external
agents such as dirt.
Impact damage
All bearings are sensitive to shock and
impact. You should never use a hammer in fitting a bearing. SKF recommends only proper fitting tools
be used.
Remember, the wheel bearing is a
safety component!
Also, before re-fitting the bearing in a
knuckle, be sure that the bearing seat is clean and lightly lubricated.