WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE CAUSES OF THEIR MALFUNCTION

If you notice a strange or unusual noise coming from your vehicle while driving, it is possible that the wheel bearings are malfunctioning. Wheel bearings are essential safety components built to withstand axial and radial loads brought on by cornering, braking and acceleration. Problems with wheel bearings, a vital component of the proper operation of your car, must be handled properly at once to prevent further damage. So let’s first know about wheel bearings in detail!!!

What actually are Wheel Bearings?

Wheel bearings are a collection of steel balls or tapers held together by a metal ring. They allow the wheels to spin smoothly and with less resistance. The hollow metal pieces which are known as hubs are located in the center of the wheels of a vehicle.  When the wheels spin, less friction is created by the snug fit of the wheel bearings within the hub and their contact with the metal axle shaft. Since there is no constant source of lubrication for wheel bearings, they differ from engine bearings. This indicates that tight wheel bearings are essential to keep out dust, water and debris. They also bear the weight of the entire vehicle while moving, which puts a lot of pressure on them.

Causes of the malfunction of wheel bearings

There are a lot of reasons for the malfunctioning of car wheel bearings. Some of the common reasons that are behind the malfunctioning of wheel bearings are mentioned below:

1. Bad conditions of the road

The wheel bearings in your vehicle will suffer if you frequently travel on rough, uneven, salty, or pothole-filled roads. The entire weight of your car is supported by the wheel bearings, which also guarantee that your wheels will spin as needed. Even just from our daily driving, we put a lot of strain on them. We put more stress on them when bumps happen. Dust and salt present on the road are other factors of risk. Your seals will become worn down from salt, allowing dirt to enter your wheel bearing. These impurities have the potential to damage the lubricant, which is required to reduce excessive friction. This will eventually lead to wheel bearing failure. 

2. Improproper installation of the Wheel bearings

Improper installation, unfortunately, is another frequent reason for wheel bearing failure. This could happen if a mechanic is careless or doesn't install the wheel bearings in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. They might also make use of subpar wheel bearings. Because they blend hard and soft metal, using a low-quality wheel bearing may result in early wear and possible failure. When a bearing wears down to the soft metal underlying, which will peel off in flakes, this is called spalling. Take it back to your mechanic right away if you recently had your wheel bearings fitted or serviced and you're still having problems. Finding a reliable mechanic who you can trust to execute a competent job is crucial if you want to prevent this uncomfortable and dangerous situation in the first place.

3. Quality of the bearings

The quality of the car wheel bearing, like any other auto part, has an important effect on how long it will endure. Since bearings are precision goods, their production calls for intricate procedures. Low-quality steel frequently has poor heat-treating that can cause spalling, premature wear, and the presence of hard or soft metal, which can result in failure. To make sure your automobile is equipped with sturdy, long-lasting wheel bearings, speak with a reliable auto repair.

4. Way of Driving

This is another main factor that affects the malfunctioning of car wheel bearings. Wheel bearing problems can be caused by often driving through mud, water, or salt on the road. By sliding past the seals and into the bearings, contaminants can contaminate the grease and harm the bearings.

5. Imbalancement of tires

Making sure your car's tires are balanced is an important component of any effective car maintenance regime. If not, some wheel bearings will experience greater pressure and stress than others, which could result in damage. If you think your tires may be uneven, bring your car into a garage so a mechanic may check it out.

Signs that your car’s wheel bearings are malfunctioning

The noise that the car wheel bearing will generate is the most prevalent noticeable sign of malfunction. You should take your car to your mechanic to have the wheel bearings checked if you notice a growling, rumbling, humming, screeching, or squealing sound that gets louder or disappears as you adjust your driving pace. You should check your wheel bearings and shocks/struts if your tires are routinely rotated but the tread is still quite significantly uneven.

 

Conclusion

When a wheel bearing fails, it can end up in the wheel stopping while you are driving or even falling off. It's very important to keep an eye on these and keep them maintained because, at the least, a failing wheel bearing can/will cause severe damage to your car before a wheel falls off. Do not drive on a wheel if you think the bearings may be failing. Visit your mechanic right away. And if you have any concerns at all related to your wheel bearings, don't be afraid to ask your mechanic. They are eager to help and care about your safety.  And if you need the best quality wheel bearings or any other automobile part just visit Lakshmi Motor Company (LMC). We have the best quality and range of all the automobile products. Along with India, we export our products to Morocco, Russia, Turkey, Poland, Israel and Brazil and have a consumer market there as well. We will be pleased to assist you. Just give us a call.