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Why Oscillate or rotate a
bearing?
Wheel bearings
are made up of four basic parts: cone (inner race), rollers,
cup (outer race) and cage (Fig. 1). These components must be
seated properly with respect to each other in order for the
bearing to have the right amount of internal clearance or end
play.
The rollers normally are loose between the cone ribs. To be
seated properly, the rollers must be positioned and maintained
in position tight against the cone large rib (Fig. 2).
The rollers will move into the required seated position
against the cone large rib only if they are rolled into
thatposition. This is accomplished by rotating or oscillating
the bearing.
There are two times during bearing adjustment procedure when
the wheel end should be rotated or oscillated: when tightening
the adjusting nut, and when using a dial indicator to measure
end play. (These two steps are discussed in Parts 5 and 7 of
this series on bearing adjustment.)
Proof
|
Bearing
not oscillated |
Bearing Oscillated |
| Inital setting |
0.002" end
play |
0.002" end
play |
Setting after
driving vehicle |
0.015" end
play |
0.002" end
play |
| Bearing & seal
life |
50,000 miles
or less |
500,000 miles |
|
|
|
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