The maintenance of automotive steering wheel bearings (usually thrust ball bearings or similar structures) should revolve around cleaning, lubrication, inspection, installation, and environmental control. The specific methods are as follows:
1. Cleaning and maintenance
Regular disassembly and cleaning:
After driving for 20000 to 30000 kilometers or shortening the cycle according to the usage environment (such as dust and humidity), the bearings should be cleaned with special cleaning agents or soaked in gasoline to remove oil, impurities, and dust.
Attention: Gasoline is flammable and should be operated in a well ventilated and away from sources of ignition. After scrubbing, wipe dry with a clean cloth to avoid residual moisture causing rust.
.Dust prevention measures:
Install dust covers or seals to prevent dust, metal particles, and other impurities from entering the interior of the bearing, reducing the risk of wear.
.2. Lubrication Management
Choose the appropriate lubricant:
Choose lubricating grease or oil according to the working conditions:
High temperature environment: Choose high-temperature resistant lubricating grease (such as lithium based grease) with a drip point of ≥ 200 ℃.
. High load environment: Use high load-bearing grease to reduce friction and wear.Apply lubricant evenly:
Use tools to evenly apply lubricant to the bearing rolling elements, raceway surfaces, and retainers, ensuring no omissions.
.Lubricating grease: The filling amount should be controlled at 1/3 to 1/2 of the bearing cavity, and it should be replenished to 2/3 after running for 500 hours after the first filling.
. Oil lubrication: If a circulating oil system is used, the oil level and quality should be checked regularly, and the lubricating oil should be replaced every 3000 hours.3. Regular inspection and monitoring
Appearance inspection:
Check the appearance of the bearings for wear, cracks, deformation, or rust every 10000 kilometers or during maintenance.
.Gap detection:
Use professional tools (such as feeler gauges or dial gauges) to detect the bearing clearance. If the clearance exceeds twice the initial value, the bearing needs to be replaced.
.Operation monitoring:
Rotation sound: Smooth operation sound indicates good condition, abnormal noise may indicate internal wear or malfunction.
.Vibration amplitude: Excessive vibration may be a signal of bearing problems and requires further analysis.
.Temperature changes: If the temperature is too high (such as exceeding 80 ℃), it may reflect insufficient lubrication or improper installation.
. Lubricant status: Check whether the lubricating grease has deteriorated, dried up, or leaked, and replenish or replace it in a timely manner.4. Correct installation and operation
Use special tools:
When installing and disassembling, use methods such as pressing, heating, or cooling to avoid strong stamping, hammering, or pressure transmission through rolling elements to prevent damage to the bearings.
.Control installation parameters:
Pre tightening force: Adjust the pre tightening force according to the bearing type to ensure that the clearance is within a reasonable range (such as 0.05-0.15mm).
.Requirements for alignment: Ensure that the coaxiality error between the bearing, shaft, and bearing seat is ≤ 0.05mm to avoid early failure caused by unbalanced load.
.Operating habits:
Avoid sudden acceleration, sudden braking, and frequent sharp turns to reduce the impact load on the bearings and extend their service life.
.5. Environmental Protection
Rust Prevention Treatment:
When taking the bearing, wash your hands of sweat and apply an appropriate amount of oil to prevent contact with sweat and rust.
.Wet environment: Apply rust proof oil on the outer ring of the bearing or use stainless steel material to keep the cage.
.Corrosion protection:
Avoid exposing bearings to chemically corrosive environments. If it is unavoidable, corrosion-resistant lubricants and sealing materials should be used.
.Temperature control:
In extreme temperature environments (such as low-temperature start-up or high-temperature operation), preheating or forced cooling measures should be taken to prevent bearing thermal damage.
.6. Regular replacement and maintenance
Replacement cycle:
Develop a replacement plan based on the type and operating conditions of the bearing, generally replacing it every 50000 to 100000 kilometers, or replacing it in advance based on inspection results.
.Damage treatment:
If the bearing shows severe wear, cracks, or deformation, it should be replaced immediately to avoid causing more serious failures.
. Minor damage: Repair can be attempted (such as precision grinding or soldering repair), but the reliability and safety after repair need to be evaluated.