|
|
|
 | Illustrated: Cutaway view of a ball bearing |
Bearings: Bearings are the load-carriers inside virtually every part of the drivetrain. Bearings have numerous types of designs for different applications. Typical automotive designs include: tapered roller, straight roller, flat, ball, and needle bearings. Bearings usually receive lubrication from the main component where they’re located, but there are some bearings that need cleaning and lubrication as regular maintenance. Bearings are used to support loads and reduce friction of rotating parts in transmissions/transaxles, transfer cases, universal joints, front and rear drive axles, axle hubs, and wheel hubs among others.
| | Typically, the only bearings requiring regular service are wheel bearings. Although many cars have non-serviceable, lubed-for- life wheel bearings in front, there may still be serviceable bearings in the rear. Most SUVs and pickups still need regular front wheel bearing maintenance. Have the bearings cleaned, inspected and repacked with fresh lubricant every two years.If the wheel bearings are exposed to any underwater conditions, even for a short period, the bearings need to be serviced more frequently. A faulty wheel bearing include a growling or metal-to-metal noise from one of the wheels while the vehicle is moving, wandering steering, or a seized wheel. | |
|
|
|
| |
