Bearing Down: How to Keep the Wheels on Your Wagon Turning

How do you ensure that a moving object can rotate when it is attached to something static? After all, this is a crucial question when it comes to the automotive world, as you can't get very far if those wheels don't turn. To answer this problem, engineers came up with the concept of a bearing, and they are some of the most crucial components on the average vehicle. How do they work, but most importantly, how do you know if they are starting to fail?

High-Performance in a Small Package

The wheel bearing is a small, cylindrical and self-contained device that is filled with ball bearings. These bearings live in an ocean of grease, and this allows the interior part of the bearing to rotate at high speed when affixed to the wheel hub. As these tiny bearings interact, it helps reduce the build-up of friction or heat, enabling the vehicle to move at varying speeds and in different directions. The bearing is able to cope with the forces of gravity while still maintaining its composure, allowing the wheel and tyre to rotate at very high speeds.

Well-Designed

This is, of course, a very tough environment, and the wheel bearing of today is well-engineered to put up with wear and tear. You can expect them to last for many years for the average motorist, but they will inevitably break down simply due to those harsh operating conditions.

Degradation

Each bearing is carefully sealed to keep the grease in and the dirt out. As these seals degrade, however, contamination could enter, and this will pollute the grease. Tiny particles of grit or other dirt can also wear down the bearings, which will become evident as time goes by.

Signs of a Problem

For example, you may notice an increasingly loud whining noise when the road wheel is turning. This may get louder when you accelerate and may be particularly noticeable when you turn the steering wheel in a certain direction. You may also notice a loud bang when you drive over a pothole and feel some vibration through the steering wheel at the same time. As the condition gets even worse, you may even notice that the steering feels quite vague. You may be able to turn that wheel quite a lot to the left or right without any corresponding movement on the ground.

What to Do Next

Take action right away whenever you notice some of these tell-tale signs, as a worn wheel bearing can be a potential danger, after all. You will need to take the vehicle to a mechanic as this can be quite a tricky and involved job, requiring the proper tools. Contact a car mechanic to learn more.