Maximizing bearing performance and life remains an
objective throughout
The Timken Company, from design
teams
and manufacturing associates to our field sales
team and distributors. TechTips help you install
and maintain
Timken®
bearings, seals and components to maximize their
life and performance and the systems in which they
operate.
The useful life of a tapered roller bearing depends
to a great extent on the proper lubrication of the
bearing. This is especially true in wheel bearings
where operating conditions include dirt, moisture
and high and low temperatures.
Lubricants aid in carrying away heat, protecting
bearing surfaces from corrosion and reducing
friction.
By Hand
- Thoroughly clean your hands or put on a new
pair of latex gloves.
- Place grease, approximately the size of a
golf ball, into the palm of one of your hands.
- Using your opposite hand, push the large
end of the bearing cone assembly into the grease.
This enables the grease to be forced between the
rollers, cage and cone.
- Continue pushing grease into the large end,
rotating the entire cone assembly, until the grease
is forced out evenly
around the entire small end.
- Smear excess grease on the outside of the
bearing cone assembly.
Using A Mechanical Grease Packer- Thoroughly clean your hands or put on a new
pair of latex gloves.
- Place the bearing cone assembly, small end
down, into the grease packer funnel.
- Plug the bore of the large end of the
bearing cone assembly with the conical retainer.
- Firmly press down on the conical retainer.
This enables the grease to be forced between the
rollers, cage and cone.
- Smear excess grease on the outside of the
bearing cone assembly.
NOTE: For best results, ample space is essential in
the housing to allow room for excess grease to be
thrown from the bearing and for heat dissipation.
It is equally important to retain the grease around
the bearing. Normally,
the housing should be 1/3 to no more than 1/2 full
of grease during bearing assembly. Too much grease
in the housing may cause excess churning of the
grease and high temperatures.
For
more information regarding Timken automotive
products and services, visit www.timken.com or contact your
local
Timken distributor.
