Where is the wheel hub located?

Automotive part

A wheel hub assembly (WHA), also referred to as hub assembly, wheel hub unit, wheel hub bearing, is an automotive part used in most cars, passenger vehicles, and light and heavy trucks.[citation needed]

Operation

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The WHA is located between the brake drums or discs and the drive axle. A wheel is bolted on it. Depending on the construction, the end of the hub comes equipped with the splined teeth. They mate the teeth on the axle shaft. The axle hub spins along with the wheels bolted to it and provide power to the wheels in order to rotate.

A roller bearing between the axle hub and axle shaft ensures easy rotation of the non-drive wheels. On the axle side, it is mounted to the holding bracket from the chassis; on the disc side, the wheel is mounted to the bolts of the WHA. When replacing, a wheel hub assembly should be torqued to the vehicle's specifications to prevent failure.[1]

History

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Wheel hub bearing are used at least since the 1930s when SKF designed a unit used on the Citroën Traction Avant car.[2] As of 2019 at least 90 million vehicles use SKF wheel hub bearings.[2]

See also

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References

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Wheel hubs are an important part of a vehicle’s wheels. They are the connection between the wheel and the suspension. As a result, they play an important role within the mechanism of the wheel.

Wheel hubs are made out of durable metal, and connect to the wheel’s axel. They are an essential part of the wheel bearing, and assist in the turning of a vehicle’s wheels. Without wheel hubs, a vehicle would not be able to operate correctly. This is why it is essential to ensure that they are performing as they should.

What does a wheel hub do?

Wheel hubs are essential because they connect each wheel to the vehicle. While you cannot see them without removing the wheel, the vehicle could not operate without these hubs. The wheel hubs enable the driver of a vehicle to move the wheels and steer.

If they are not working correctly, this is when a driver can have issues with their steering wheel alignment. The wheels can become wobbly if the wheel hubs are not correct, and too much friction is placed on the wheel itself.

What does the wheel hub connect to?

The wheel hub is responsible for connecting a wheel to a vehicle. As a result, it connects to both the wheel and the vehicle itself. The wheel hug connects to the vehicle’s wheel axle, this is located on the brake disc side of the chassis.

The tyres are then connected to the wheel hub assembly with studs. Given the location of the wheel hub assembly being located behind the wheel, you can only see it when the wheel of a vehicle has been removed.

What is a wheel bearing and hub assembly?

The wheel bearing and hub assembly are essentially the same component. When it comes to the mechanics of a vehicle’s wheels, there are a number of different names given to the similar components.

However, there is a slight difference between the both, and this comes down to their assembly. When looking at a wheel bearing, this can be taken apart by a mechanic. This is great because it means that each part can be lubricated to ensure that it works seamlessly.

In contrast to this, the hub bearings cannot be taken apart. If there are any issues with them, they need to be replaced, rather than fixed. These are sent out by the manufacturer.

While they essentially do the same job, the difference lies when there is an issue with the component. The wheel bearing and hub assembly are an essential part of a vehicle, given that they are responsible for connecting and securing the wheel to the vehicle.

How much is a wheel bearing hub assembly?

When it comes to the cost of a wheel bearing hub assembly, there is no set cost. This is standard when it comes to different vehicles because there are different sizes and bearings needed. As a result, the cost will depend on the type of model and vehicle you own.

The price of the wheel bearings is not extortionate. On average, they will set you back around £100. However, the price can be higher or lower than this. When looking at the hub assembly, this is more expensive to replace, especially if you need to purchase more than one. You will be looking at paying around £225-£575.

When you take into consideration how important these components are, it is understandable that they are not the cheapest component to replace. The wheel bearing can be fixed, whereas the hub assembly needs to be replaced, this is why there is a significant jump in the price.

What are the different types of wheel hubs?

It is important to note that there are different types of wheel hubs and bearings, and they can differ depending on the vehicle you own. It is useful to know the differences.

Ball Bearing – Ball bearings are one of the most common types. As the name suggests, they are round balls made out of metal. They are not typically used for wheel hubs because they are not strong enough. However, they can be present in other parts of vehicles.

Straight Roller Bearings – These bearings have a cylindrical shape. They are typically used in gear boxes, and can deal with a heavier-duty job. They can also handle thrust loads.

Tempered Roller Bearings – This type of bearing also has a cylindrical shape, but is tapered on one side. They are particularly durable and heavy duty.