If you hear a clicking sound that increases in frequency as the vehicle accelerates, there could be a problem with the wheel hub assembly.

Whether in the packaging, textile, testing technology and quality assurance or modelling industries: xiros plastic ball bearings are already being used successfully in a wide range of industries; wherever conventional metal ball bearing solutions are unsuitable.

Bearing oilgrade

Wheel bearings connect a car’s wheels to the axles. They allow wheels to turn with minimal friction. Though wheel bearings are low-maintenance parts, they are important safety components of a vehicle’s braking, steering, and suspension systems. The one-piece hub assembly, between the drive axle and the brake disc or drums, incorporates the hub, wheel bearings, ABS (anti-lock braking system) wheel speed sensor, and mounting flange.

The cost to replace one front-wheel hub assembly varies widely. Among the variables are the vehicle brand and model, the garage’s labor rate, and the cost of parts. The average out-the-door wheel bearing replacement cost without taxes is about $350 per wheel.

The xiros plastic ball bearing programme is characterised in particular by the wide variety of types and Materials from. Small ball bearings are used in model making and medical technology, among others. xiros successfully serves a wide range of applications - including customised products. Special parts are part of the programme.

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Our materials are suitable for a wide range of applications and are characterised by a wide variety of advantages. From cost-effective all-rounders and heat specialists to materials with the best chemical resistance specifications. You can also find out more about the ball materials used.

In this story, we’ll tell you quick facts to know, such as what causes a bad wheel bearing, how long you can drive on one, and the estimated replacement cost of a wheel bearing as you maintain your vehicle.

High SpeedBearing Oil

“The good news is most of the time, a vehicle will let you know way before a failure ever happens,” said Gary Hardesty, Kelley Blue Book’s in-house service and maintenance expert and an A.S.E. certified master technician. “The key is to listen to your car. Most times, a failing wheel bearing will exhibit a growling type of noise that changes with vehicle speed. The faster the car (goes), the faster the frequency of the growl.”

The typical sounds of worn-out wheel bearings are squealing and/or growling. The sound intensifies as vehicle speed increases. Try to pinpoint the location of the noise because it will identify the location of the worn-out bearings.

Bearinglubricantoil

Most vehicles today use sealed hub bearing assemblies that contain roller bearings. While we don’t address these, older cars used tapered roller bearings, which required servicing and preload adjusting to ensure the right amount of end play or axial clearance.

Thanks to extensive trials in the xiros test laboratory the service life of the igus bearing can be accurately predicted even under difficult conditions - even for individual applications.

Mineraloilfor bearings

Depending on the application, xiros is suitable for minimum and maximum temperatures. This makes it possible to dispense with expensive speciality lubricants which are essential for metal ball bearings. The performance was tested in numerous tests in the xiros test laboratory tested and confirmed, also for extreme cold down to -100 °C. For applications with high heat loads, we offer Heat-resistant ball bearings up to +150 °C with long-term use.

Bad wheel bearings can cause the steering wheel to vibrate. The intensity increases as the vehicle speed increases and the vehicle turns to the left or right. However, the vibration could be linked to an out-of-round tire (there could be a flat spot on the tire) or a tire that is no longer balanced. Another cause is damaged or worn suspension components.

The terms "Apiro", "AutoChain", "CFRIP", "chainflex", "chainge", "chains for cranes", "ConProtect", "cradle-chain", "CTD", "drygear", "drylin", "dryspin", "dry-tech", "dryway", "easy chain", "e-chain", "e-chain systems", "e-ketten", "e-kettensysteme", "e-loop", "energy chain", "energy chain systems", "enjoyneering", "e-skin", "e-spool", "fixflex", "flizz", "i.Cee", "ibow", "igear", "iglidur", "igubal", "igumid", "igus", "igus improves what moves", "igus:bike", "igusGO", "igutex", "iguverse", "iguversum", "kineKIT", "kopla", "manus", "motion plastics", "motion polymers", "motionary", "plastics for longer life", "print2mold", "Rawbot", "RBTX", "RCYL", "readycable", "readychain", "ReBeL", "ReCyycle", "reguse", "robolink", "Rohbot", "savfe", "speedigus", "superwise", "take the dryway", "tribofilament", "tribotape", "triflex", "twisterchain", "when it moves, igus improves", "xirodur", "xiros" and "yes" are legally protected trademarks of igus® GmbH/Cologne in the Federal Republic of Germany and possibly in some foreign countries. This is a non-exhaustive list of trademarks (such as pending trademark applications or registered trademarks) of igus GmbH or igus-affiliated companies in Germany, the European Union, the US and/or other countries or jurisdictions.

Technicians can check for wheel wobble by putting the vehicle on a lift and manually checking for wheel movement. Typically, it would be impossible to shake the wheel and tire. However, if it moves, the hub assembly needs immediate attention. The tire and wheel can literally come off the vehicle at any time, at any speed, if you don’t repair your vehicle.

The anti-lock warning light may illuminate if the ring, tire, and wheel wobble, the wheel’s speed sensor is no longer operating properly, and the ABS may operate sporadically or not at all. See a professional for repair.

Driving with bad wheel bearings impacts the safety of a vehicle, and it could cause a serious car accident. We do not advise driving on them when they fail and recommend getting them checked out as soon as possible. Bad wheel bearings can damage things like your hub, the vehicle’s constant velocity joint (CV joint), or the automatic transmission.

Your vehicle will signal that it’s time to replace a failed wheel bearing. For example, if you hear unusual sounds like humming or clicking, then your bearing might be bad. Watch out and listen for these signs and symptoms:

In this section we answer some general questions about ball bearings and our plastic ball bearings. Among other things, the following topics await you:

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Ball bearings made of FDA-compliant plastic are used where components come into contact with food or are used in sterile areas. Thanks to the new technology developed by igus® plastic with FDA approvalwhich do not require any additional lubricants, xiros is ideally suited for applications in the Food and beverage industry and Medical technology.

Radial deep groove ball bearings, axial ball bearings, flanged ball bearings, pedestal ball bearings, ball transfer units, conveyor rollers, ball slewing rings and other types in various sizes can be found in our online shop. Thanks to the wide range of materials, our solutions are designed for a wide variety of industries and can also solve your specific application.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published. Rick Kranz contributed to this report.

However, luxury cars are more expensive to repair. Do note that if bearings go bad at one wheel, replacing the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle is unnecessary. Don’t let someone talk you into work that is not needed. Get the price estimate for wheel bearing replacement for your make and model of car.

"The decisive factor for us here is the Smooth running of the ball bearings in the deflection pulleys. In the past, we used metal bearings here. However, this was not light enough, sometimes making the complete roll stop and the label band would slip over it.

Our plastic solutions make it possible to dispense with costly speciality lubricants, which are required for applications that are exposed to aggressive chemicals. This offers considerable advantages over conventional metal ball bearings.

The most easily identifiable and common symptom of bad wheel bearings is audible. But it can be confusing. For example, the source of a humming noise can be linked to other issues, such as tires and the CV joint.

The original equipment bearings on your vehicle are engineered for specific loads. Those bigger and wider tires look cool, as do tires with lower tread walls. But they place higher loads on the wheel bearings, possibly resulting in accelerated wear. That could present a safety issue if your wheel bearings fail.

Ball bearings replace sliding friction with rolling friction, allowing rotational movement to take place with little resistance. As a rule, they must be lubricated in order to function properly. xiros plastic ball bearings require no additional lubrication, are corrosion-free and operate extremely quietly. This makes them a cost-effective alternative to their metal counterparts. The components, which consist of a tribopolymer mixture, are lightweight, resistant to chemicals and optionally non-magnetic. This ensures safe use in medicine, packaging, food and drive technology and many other industries.Our xiros ball bearings consist of a mixture of basic plastics, solid lubricants, fibres and filaments. The balls used are usually made of stainless steel, glass or plastic. These are mounted in a cage, which can be made of our own xirodur® materials, PA, PP or PEEK.

Ball bearings have become indispensable in mechanical engineering. There are various designs, whereby the dimensions and technical composition of the components depend on the specifications of the industrial application. The following list shows the most commonly used types and where they are used.

xiros has a decisive advantage over its metallic counterpart: The bearings are extremely corrosion-free. Even when used in corrosive environments, they retain their smooth running and long service life - with low maintenance requirements.

Metal ball bearings corrode more quickly, seize up and, in the worst case, cause the machine to fail, which can lead to high maintenance costs.

The bearings are tightly packed in a grease-filled, waterproof, sealed metal ring. This housing, called a race, is located inside the hub, and each wheel has one. Wheel bearings have a Herculean responsibility: They are engineered to support the vehicle’s entire weight.

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Wherever the absence of metal is important, the non-magnetic plastic ball bearings are the first choice. The xiros range includes both pure plastic solutions and variants with glass balls, which are ideal for applications where there must be no metal.

Hardesty cautions that if you think something is wrong, don’t wait to get it diagnosed: “The longer you wait, the more it will cost as other components may be damaged by a wheel bearing.”

igus® GmbH would like to point out that it does not sell products from Allen Bradley, B&R, Baumüller, Beckhoff, Lahr, Control Techniques, Danaher Motion, ELAU, FAGOR, FANUC, Festo, Heidenhain, Jetter, Lenze, LinMot, LTi DRiVES, Mitsubishi, NUM, Parker, Bosch Rexroth, SEW, Siemens, Stöber and all other drive manufacturers mentioned on this website. The products offered by igus® are those of igus® GmbH.

Worn bearings may cause a vehicle to pull to the left or right when brakes are applied. The direction the vehicle pulls signals where the worn bearings are located, on the left or right side of the vehicle. However, this can also signal brake rotor or brake caliper problems.

It cannot and does not always have to be the catalogue part. That's why we offer you the service of requesting a customised special part that deviates from the DIN standard for your specific application. From the idea to the solution: endless possibilities thanks to xiros. We will be happy to advise you.

This type of ball bearing absorbs radial forces and is used wherever components rotate. In the automotive industry, for example, deep groove ball bearings can be found in the chassis, where the ball bearings fulfil the function of axle support and guidance. A radial force is always applied when the axis performs a rotary movement.

If there is excessive play in the steering, meaning the steering seems less responsive or less precise than normal, worn bearings could be causing the problem. Also, this could be a sign the vehicle needs a wheel alignment. If you have any of the signs listed above, visit a dealer service or auto repair shop.

Wheel bearings are theoretically engineered to last the life of the vehicle. There is no maintenance schedule for replacing wheel bearings, and there is no constant source of lubrication. However, they can be damaged, leading to failure.

BearingLubricant Spray

The plastic developed by igus® enables the flawless running also for Contact with aggressive chemicals. The specified resistance and calculated service life are based on data from our test laboratory.

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This type of ball bearing is generally used in applications with long shafts. This is due to mounting problems caused by holes in the housing. The axial force plays a role in self-aligning bearings. This must be kept low, as the grooves in the outer ring have limited contact surfaces for rolling elements. It is used in general mechanical engineering.

If one tire wears out faster than the others, it could be a sign that the wheel bearings are worn. However, it also could be a sign the tire is improperly inflated (too much air pressure or not enough), the tires are improperly aligned, or the vehicle has damaged or worn suspension components.

As the name of the bearing suggests, this type is designed to support axial loads. They are available in a single-row or double-row design and are already used in numerous applications in medical technology or the packaging industry.

This bearing is designed to support both radial and axial forces in one direction. Angular contact ball bearings make higher speeds possible and reduce friction for a wide range of loads. Angular contact ball bearings are used in the bicycle industry, the automotive sector or, for example, in the spindle of machine tools.

What is the best lubricant forballbearings

Metallic bearings are robust and heavy. xiros ball bearings are available for a wide range of applications the perfect alternative, because they are Lightweight, reliable and durable. Plastic ball bearings are frequently used in the automotive and aerospace industries. Wherever low weight is important, xiros comes into its own.

We are constantly working on the further development of existing products and new products to improve the technology of your application and reduce costs. Stay up to date at all times.

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Imagine driving on the freeway when the left front tire and wheel suddenly break off, sending your out-of-control vehicle skidding across several lanes of 65 mph traffic. This is not an exaggeration. This is reality, and can happen if you fail to notice the signs the wheel bearings are deteriorating and need immediate repairs. Your wheel bearing might be bad if you hear unusual sounds like humming, squeaking, or clicking. Some experts say a bad wheel bearing can sound like a bird chirping. Also, if your car wobbles or pulls to one side, you will want to get it checked.