SKF tapered roller bearings – SKF is widely known as the world’s largest industrial-bearing manufacturer, but fewer people know that it is also a major global manufacturer of truck wheel-hub bearings. SKF truck bearings are designed by experienced specialists to suit vehicle loads and operating conditions. This article introduces SKF products for truck wheel bearings.
What is a wheel hub?
An automotive wheel hub is the main component that transmits power from the axle shaft to the wheels. It includes hub bearings that support the axle shaft and a housing mounted to the wheel.
The hub plays a major role in maintaining vehicle balance and helps the vehicle move steadily, smoothly, comfortably and safely.
For trucks in Vietnam, manufacturers commonly install replaceable bearings in the hub. This arrangement lowers repair and maintenance costs because the hub can remain in service while only its bearings are replaced. The next section describes common truck-hub bearings.
Tapered roller bearings – SKF tapered roller bearings
Tapered roller bearings are currently the most common truck-hub bearings in Vietnam. A truck hub uses two tapered roller bearings mounted back-to-back to increase wheel-shaft rigidity and stability, together with a seal and hub cap that prevent contaminants from entering. The inner bearing is generally larger than the outer bearing, although some vehicle manufacturers use the same size in both positions.
This is the most common wheel-hub configuration in Vietnam’s truck market and is used on KIA, Hyundai, Ollin and Isuzu trucks, among others.
Strengths:
- Simple and easy to repair and maintain.
- Low cost.
- Replacement bearings are easy to find.
Limitations:
- Many bearings on the market are counterfeit or poor quality.
- Installation can cause problems such as bearing damage, incorrect fitting or uneven grease distribution.
- Short bearing service life.
SKF tapered roller bearings have long been known worldwide for long service life, low friction and noise, high load capacity, resistance to shock, vibration and misalignment, and smooth operation.
SKF also offers a broad product range, from bearings for small trucks such as 30205 for the KIA K2700 to large 110 mm-bore bearings such as 32222 for Howo trucks. Customers can select the SKF product best suited to their vehicle.
SKF truck hub unit (THU)
The THU bearing was developed by SKF in 1982. It consists of one large outer ring and two extended inner rings.
SKF fills the THU with the specified lubricant between the cage, rolling elements and raceways for optimum performance. Rubber seals on both sides prevent contaminants and water from entering and protect product life. Truck manufacturers worldwide, especially in Europe, are increasingly replacing back-to-back tapered-bearing pairs with THUs.
Strengths:
- Maintenance-free.
- Easy, convenient installation without contamination during assembly.
- Lower risk of bearing damage during installation.
Limitations:
- Relatively high cost.
- Cannot be repaired; a failed unit must be replaced.
THUs represent the direction of wheel-bearing development among global vehicle manufacturers. However, their high purchase and replacement costs relative to the Vietnamese and wider Asian markets mean that they are not yet common.
LDT is proud to be a major SKF partner. In addition to supplying genuine products, LDT’s sales engineers provide advice and optimized technical solutions.
Dear customers, contact LDT using the information below for advice and special offers!
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Address: 121-123 To Hieu Street, Nguyen Trai Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Business hotline: Mr Toan: 0948.068.692
Fanpage:https://www.facebook.com/BoitroncongnghiepSKF?ref=embed_page
