Predication & Correlation of Bearing Preload with Rotational Torque in Wheel End Bearing System

Wheel end bearing is one of the critical components of the vehicle as it shares the loads & support wheel rotation simultaneously. In wheel end, taper roller bearings are used. It helps to withstand both vertical & lateral loads imparted during cornering. Taper roller bearings are used in pair of two so that overall impact of lateral forces during straight running would be nullified. In wheel end bearing systems bearings are kept at distance w.r.t to each other based on position of load line, sharing the total portion of load accordingly. Life of bearings is dependent on whether the bearings are operating in play or preload.

This paper focuses on various aspects of bearings life & how it varies with respect to Play & Preload. Also a methodology is developed to measure the overall preload of bearing system.

In second stage a methodology is developed which gives an indirect method to measure the bearing preload in terms of wheel end torque to rotate.