Truck and Trailer Wheel Hubs
Wheel hubs are integral to the safe steering of your vehicle, and a key component in being able to safely navigate the road. This pre-assembled unit is what allows your wheels to turn freely and steer safely, as well as housing the vehicle’s wheel speed sensor. This essential piece informs the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) of your vehicle. For truck and trailer fleets, the smooth running and servicing of the wheel hub is paramount, due to the harsher operating conditions of these vehicles.
Signs of a compromised wheel hub bearing
Driving with an impaired wheel hub can not only damage your vehicle, but also jeopardise your safety on the road. A damaged wheel hub will prevent your wheels from turning smoothly and can cause your vehicle to become shaky and unstable. Suspect a damaged wheel hub? Here are some signs you should look out for to ensure the safe running of your vehicle.
An unstable steering wheel
A faulty wheel hub assembly can manifest in a variety of ways. One such symptom would be an unstable or shaky steering wheel when driving.
Growling tyres
Another symptom of a failing wheel hub is a high-pitched chirping or growling sound coming from the wheels. For cars, this would typically happen when travelling at speeds between 50 and 70km/ph.
ABS light indicator
Finally, if your wheel hub assembly is faulty or failing your ABS light will come on if the sensor signal has been compromised.
The importance of quality wheel hub assembly
For trucks and other HGVs, wheel hubs are particularly important for navigating heavy weights on the road and across large distances. Having a quality truck hub unit helps to reduce frequent repairs and servicing, as these are designed to withstand harsh conditions and wear-and-tear.
Pre-adjusted, greased and sealed, these units are carefully assembled for easy installation and an extended lifetime. This also makes the mounting process more cost effective and relatively low maintenance.
A reliable truck hub will also act in conjunction with other wheel end elements, such as its hubcap, tyres and seal, to create a single reliable unit.