Automotive Hub Bearing Units-European Experience

The last 15 years have seen a steady increase in the proportion of European front wheel drive cars to the current 60-70 percent. To save space and weight, the traditional two-bearing arrangement has been superseded by a preset, greased-for-life and sealed, double row bearing unit. Already in its simplest form this unit cuts assembly and manufacturing costs. The latest SKF development incorporates hub, bearing and stub axle functions and allows hub carrier and drive joint designs to be simplified.