The undercarriage system performs many functions, the main of which is ensuring the controllability of the car. To make the machine maneuverable and safe, it is equipped with a special rotary fist and a hub between the axles. In order to be as reliable as possible, they include two bearings. Both parts may vary in size and cost, but their design remains unchanged. Both the front and rear parts are conical in shape. Although some motorists claim that the rear wheel bearing is easier to operate than the front. To finally find out the answer to this question, in today's article we will consider all the features of this part.
First, let's look at the design of this element. As we have already found out, the rear bearing of the hub has a conical shape. So - it is attached to the axis using a special thrust nut or washer. The stronger this part is tightened, the denser the rollers will be pressed. Due to this, the possibility of backlash of the mechanism can be excluded.
So why is the rear hub bearing easier to operate?
The design of the front and rear parts are very similar to each other, but there are some differences. The fact is that the rear hub bearing does not have a knuckle, so it is easier to operate. Now cars are installing several types of these parts:
- radial ball bearings (most often for machines with dependent suspension);
- conical (for independent).
The first mechanisms differ from the second in that they do not have the ability to adjust the degree of pressure of the rollers to the clips. They cost much cheaper, and you can purchase them in absolutely any town.
Why does the rear wheel bearing fail?
It often happens that this part fails due to road dust that has got into its body. This may be due to leaking oil, but more often it happens because water gets on the hub. Well, no one is safe from running into a puddle. So it turns out that it is best to have a couple of such parts in your trunk so that at one point you don’t have to go home on a tow truck. But carrying a set of new parts is still half the battle. You also need to know how to change the rear hub bearing. Therefore, below we will give a small instruction for removing and installing this part.
Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement - Step-by-Step Process
First, remove the protective cap of the hub nut and lower the tightening of the wheel bolts and the mechanism itself. After that, take the jack and raise the car by 5-10 centimeters. At the same time, do not forget about additional supports. Next, turn on the first gear and put the substrate under the front wheels. Then remove the wheel, brake drum and pads. Next, using a puller, remove the hub from the journal and the inner race of the bearing. The next step is to remove the retaining ring and then the bearing itself. All mechanisms are thoroughly washed, and a new part is pressed into the hub. The rear hub bearing is installed in the reverse order.