Symptoms and Analysis of Wheel Hub Bearing Failure

The wheel hub bearing is one of the key components of an automobile. Its main function is to bear weight and provide accurate guidance for the rotation of the hub. The car wheel hub bearing consists of a set of steel balls (ball bearings) or cones (tapered bearings), which are held together by a metal ring. The wheel hub bearing allows the wheel to rotate smoothly with minimal friction. The wheel hub bearing is a critical safety component, designed to withstand radial and axial loads caused by gravity, acceleration, braking, and cornering forces. Therefore, when they stop working, they need to be replaced!

The main symptoms of car wheel hub bearing failure are: wheel wobbling during driving, significant vehicle shaking, strange noises, a jerky feeling during rolling, particularly louder noises during acceleration, and ABS failure, indicated by the ABS warning light coming on during driving.

Fault 1: Abnormal noise

Symptom

The car wheel hub bearing emits irregular, sharp noises (e.g., whistling or intermittent screeching) during operation.

Causes

• Material defects, non-metallic inclusions causing raceway peeling

• Excessive preload on the wheel hub bearing (small clearance affecting bearing usage)

• Poor lubrication (damage to working surface, resulting in indentations, cracks, and peeling)

• Improper installation or tilted installation, violent installation causing internal structural deviation of the bearing

• Abnormal load

Fault 2: Looseness

Symptom

The wheel wobbles during driving, with severe cases causing shaking and wobbling of the steering.

Causes

• Wear on the working surface of the internal components of the car wheel hub bearing, increasing internal clearance;

• Insufficient preload on the wheel hub bearing, with the preload disappearing after a period of use, increasing internal clearance;

• Poor fit between the wheel hub bearing and connection components;

• Insufficient or loose tightening torque of the wheel hub bearing drive nut.

Fault 3: Poor ABS signal

Symptom

The ABS warning light comes on during driving.

Causes

• Interference in the internal components of the wheel hub bearing, causing damage after a period of use and affecting ABS signal transmission;

• Loose sensor connector or damaged wire;

• Poor overall vehicle braking system and ABS system;

• ABS receiving external damage.

As one of the professional wheel bearing kits suppliers, DSBR has been deeply engaged in the automotive bearing field since its establishment in 2010, with a strong foundation of a 20,000-square-meter plant, specializing in the research and manufacturing of single and double row tapered roller and angular contact ball bearings. As an industry leader, DSBR, one of the wheel bearing kits suppliers, has earned broad recognition in fields such as passenger cars, heavy trucks, and construction machinery, with excellent product quality, customized service, and competitive pricing. Its advanced production technology and rigorous quality control system ensure that each product meets top international standards, with outstanding performance, reliability, and durability. Coupled with flexible customization options and excellent customer service, DSBR is undoubtedly the optimal choice for efficient, economical, and high-quality bearing solutions in the B2B marketwheel bearing kits suppliers.