The maintenance life of the first generation of automotive wheel hub bearings is about 50000 kilometers. It adopts a combination structure of two angular contact ball bearings, with an integrated outer ring design. It completes one-time lubrication at the factory and has no maintenance space for subsequent supplementary lubrication. The overall life is much lower than that of the second generation and subsequent maintenance free wheel hub bearings.
Key factors affecting actual service life
Operating conditions: If driving for a long time on unpaved roads with many potholes and frequent heavy loads, the actual service life will be further shortened, and abnormal noise and wear will occur at around 30000 kilometers under some harsh operating conditions.
.Driving habits: Frequent high-speed driving over potholes and speed bumps can accelerate the impact damage of the internal raceway of the bearing, greatly reducing the remaining service life.
.Lubrication status: Its lubricating grease is packaged once at the factory and cannot be replenished later. Once the grease dries up or runs out, the bearing will quickly enter the stage of wear and failure.
.Failure criteria
When there is a noticeable buzzing noise at the wheel hub when the vehicle is coasting, and the noise is further amplified when driving at high speeds, it indicates that the first generation wheel hub bearings have reached their service life limit and must be replaced in a timely manner to avoid safety risks of wheel loosening in extreme situations.
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