How long do wheel bearings last?

A bearing's service life is easily predicted as it is based on statistical data.

They have statistical data about wheel bearings ?

Car wheel bearings are designed such that 90 % of them will easily achieve 500,000 kilometres.

500,000 kms = 5000 hrs @100 km/hr , abt 2000 rpm for a 32" wheel.

Thus, it may be predicted that 999 out of 1,000 will achieve 100,000 kilometres. [/I]

100,000 kms= 1000 hrs at 100 kms/ hr for a 32 " wheel.


Bearings are designed and selected to have a specific service life under application operation conditions.

There's the problem I guess the "application operating conditions".

2000 rpm isn't particularly fast for a roller bearing of that diameter, so getting 1000 hours service life would not be an achievement in industry, even 5000 hrs is considered poor for an electric motor, fan or pump in industry. ( about 7 months continuous running). Industrial equipment that needed bearing changes at 5000 hrs would be considered a "problem child". Heavy high speed fans or pumps running at 3500 or 3600 would be an example. As Tombie mentioned there are too many variables to make any reliable estimate, but for sure you're doing something right Leo. :D

So theoretically they could go to 1 million kms, at 100 Kms/hr, its only 10,000 hrs, a more typical industrial bearing life, though we have reached 20,000 hrs + where i worked, we use vibration monitoring to pick them on the way out.

Re brake rotors I'm with you, never had them skimmed i think its a racket. My Volvo did 270,000 kms on the original rotors still within spec. Land rover 200,000 kms on the original rotors and still in spec', but not by a lot the mud and sand aren't kind to them. But having said that I didn't live in the city, and didn't used them much . cheers simmo

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Originally Posted by Bearman

I know it's a problem with Chinese copies of everything these day including counterfeit aircraft part with attached counterfeit certification of authentication, but in all honesty how do you know if the hologram is genuine - they have probably worked out how to replicate that. Nothing is sacred anymore!

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There's a lot of good Chinese and Indian components. Unfortunately it's real easy to import the cheapest in commercial quantities and wack it on eBay.

Have to agree Pete, in quality I understand that you get what you pay for with the asian imports and apparently they CAN manufacture parts to proper standard if they want to. But it is a bit worrying especially with things like counterfeit aircraft parts that have failed and the consequences have been tracked down to the inferior quality part (often with dire consequence). Sorry for the thread hijack fellas. Wheel bearings should last almost a lifetime if not abused (by water, misadjustment etc)

Not a Discovery1, but similar - my 110 has done 590,000km with the original bearings on three wheels still going strong. Also original front brake rotors, although the rear drums were replaced at about 500,000km

John

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Originally Posted by rar110

There's a lot of good Chinese and Indian components. Unfortunately it's real easy to import the cheapest in commercial quantities and wack it on eBay.

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Very true, my dad just had some wheel bearings for 1920's Dodges made in china as they arent even available in the US , quality is excellent and is even selling them to US owners.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

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Originally Posted by Tombie

A bearing's service life is easily predicted as it is based on statistical data. In fact, it is mainly based on the probability of encountering conditions that will lead to cracking: high stress loading combined with material heterogeneity.

Car wheel bearings are designed such that 90 % of them will easily achieve 500,000 kilometres. Thus, it may be predicted that 999 out of 1,000 will achieve 100,000 kilometres.

Premature bearing damage
Other causes, usually abnormal, may cause premature damage of a bearing and impact bearing service life, notably:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ In 70 % of cases, incorrect lubrication: too much or too little; wrong lubricant, etc... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ In 18 % of cases, pollution: penetration of liquid or solid particles, hence the importance of seals as seal defects can give rise to leakage of lubricant and penetration of pollution. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ In 10 % of cases, incorrect assembly; careless assembly, excessive heating, incorrect adjustment of gap clearance, excessive tightening of the taper sleeve, geometric defects, etc... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ And in 2 % of cases, diverse reasons: use under unsuitable loads, incorrect adjustment, contact corrosion, passage of an electrical current, etc?
Bearings are designed and selected to have a specific service life under application operation conditions.

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Your spot on regarding the majority of bearings failing due to lubrication issues - too little, too much, contamination etc... When you look up the theoretical service life of bearings they can actually last a very long time, but unfortunately (or fortunately if your a bearing manufacturer:) )most never make anywhere near their potential service life.

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Originally Posted by simmo

where i worked, we use vibration monitoring to pick them on the way out.

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That's what I do for a living - its amazing how long before changeout we can pickup a bearing fault

Unfortunately d2 RR style CV's dont last anywhere near what the Deefer/D1 wheel bearing and swivel joint does. The CV wheel bearing is a complete part including half shaft axle too.

Cheers

My 97 Disco is also still running the original bearings and I have ever only repacked the outer front bearings since new when adjusting. I recall there was a seal mod for the rear that allowed diff oil to lubricate the rear bearings but I never did this and so far they have been fine ;)