Analysis of the heating problem of the trailer axle wheel end
Publish Time: 2024-12-06
Is it normal for the trailer axle wheel end to be hot? How should it be judged and handled?In the hot summer, vehicle tire blowouts or spontaneous combustion incidents often occur, which brings great hidden dangers to driving safety. The heating of the wheel end is a common cause of tire blowouts or spontaneous combustion, so car owners pay more attention to this.Under normal circumstances, when a truck is driving, heat will accumulate at the wheel end, especially when the vehicle is fully loaded, the wheel end temperature will rise, as long as it does not exceed 60℃, it is a normal phenomenon. If it exceeds this temperature, and the frequency of overheating is also relatively high, or if a single wheel end always has an ultra-high temperature, it can be judged as abnormal heating. There are two main factors causing this situation: one is the bearing and the other is the brake drum.1. High temperature of the bearingThe bearing is installed on the inner side of the wheel end, at the axle head of the axle, and is mainly used to bear the axle and tire. It not only assists in bearing the vehicle's own weight, but also bears the left and right stress of the axle when turning. The main reason for the high temperature of the bearing is over-tightening or poor lubrication. When the bearing is over-tightened, the internal grease will melt and flow out, causing damage to the bearing and affecting the braking effect.One factor that causes the high temperature of the bearing is grease, commonly known as butter. If the butter used is unqualified, the friction between the metals will increase and the heat will increase in the inner and outer bearings during long-distance and long-term driving. The temperature of the bearing will rise abnormally, eventually causing bearing damage.If the quality of the grease is fine, then check whether there is a problem of inadequate assembly adjustment. For example, if the screws are tightened too much, the wheel end will generate high temperature during operation, causing the butter to evaporate. This can be checked with a temperature gun to check the hub temperature of each wheel. If a single wheel end has an over-high temperature phenomenon, it is likely that the adjustment is too tight.It is worth noting that when adding butter to the bearing, don't be greedy. Just add the right amount. Too much butter will not only make the lubrication effect counterproductive, but also block the ABS sensor probe.Since we are talking about this topic, let me share the maintenance steps of wheel hub bearings:(1) Stop the vehicle, set up the bridge, and ensure the safety of the operation;(2) Remove the wheel hub axle head decorative cover and dust cover;(3) Remove the tire nut and remove the tire, being careful not to damage the bolt thread;(4) Remove the wheel hub with special tools;(5) Scrape off the old grease in the bearing, journal, and wheel hub cavity, clean the wheel hub bearing and journal with a cleaning agent, wipe dry with a clean rag, and finally wipe the wheel hub cavity;(6) Check the wheel hub bearing and bearing race. If cracks, fatigue peeling, loose bearing rollers, and pitting on the bearing race are found, the bearing should be replaced;(7) Check the fit between the bearing inner diameter and the journal. The fit clearance should be ≤0.10mm. When measuring the journal, it should be measured at the upper and lower parts vertical to the ground. If the fit clearance exceeds If the bearing exceeds the prescribed usage limit, the bearing should be replaced;(8) After confirming that all parts meet the requirements, apply grease to the inner bearing and put it into the wheel hub;(9) Do not apply too much grease to the inner cavity of the bearing. Squeeze the grease into the bearing until the grease comes out from the other side of the bearing;(10) Reinstall the wheel hub and outer bearing, install the shaft head nut, tighten it with the shaft head wrench to the specified torque, and turn the wheel hub a few times to check the bearing installation. It should be able to rotate freely and no axial clearance can be felt;(11) Install the lock plate, fixing nut, tire, dust cover and decorative cover in sequence. Do not tighten the screws too much or too little. Too much tightening will cause the bearing running clearance to be too small and cause bearing burnout. Too much looseness will cause sliding between the bearing and the wheel hub or axle, causing the wheel to vibrate and drive unsteadily. In severe cases, the wheel may fly out.2. Overheating of brake drumThe brake drum is the part with the highest heat generation in the entire wheel end, because it needs to generate friction with the brake pad to provide braking force, and friction will generate heat, so the brake drum will basically heat up. Its temperature is closely related to the environment, vehicle speed, road conditions, braking frequency, load, etc., generally between 100-200℃, and in some cases it can even reach more than 300℃.In fact, when the temperature of the brake drum exceeds 200℃, it is easy to burn the tire valve and cause the vehicle to burst. When the vehicle brakes do not return to position or the friction components are abnormally worn, it is more likely to cause the brake drum to overheat.
The owner can jack up the vehicle and turn the wheel to see if it is flexible. If there is friction, it means that there is interference inside the brake drum;Turn the tire and step on the brake pedal to check whether the brake returns quickly and thoroughly. If it does not return or returns slowly, it means that there is a fault in the braking system and the vehicle needs to be repaired as soon as possible.It is recommended that car owners choose products that are suitable for the use conditions when purchasing axles, pay attention to the inspection of quality and performance, especially key components such as bearings, wheels, and brake components. Try to choose high-strength, high-toughness, and high-heat capacity products specially customized for freight vehicles, which can also ensure reliable and stable performance output under high-speed and heavy-load conditions.Therefore, the heating problem of the trailer axle wheel end cannot be ignored. Correct judgment and countermeasures can effectively ensure driving safety. Here, we have to mention a company that has made outstanding contributions in this field-TND Axle. TND Axle is a national high-tech group company specializing in the research and development, design and manufacturing of heavy-duty vehicle parts such as trailers and semi-trailers. With its innovation and improvement based on military technology, it has created a new era of seamless steel pipe hot extrusion one-piece thickened axles. The company has obtained multiple international quality standard certifications such as IATF 16949:2016. Its main products include American axles, German axles, air suspensions, bogie suspensions, mechanical suspensions, etc., with considerable annual output. Its patented thermoforming machines and other advanced equipment, as well as the support of professional engineers and strict quality control teams, ensure the excellent quality of the products.
TND Axle's industry experience has won the trust and popularity of the majority of users. We firmly believe that through its high-quality trailers, semi-trailers and other heavy-duty vehicle parts and good after-sales service, it will bring users a safer and more reliable driving experience. Here, we also look forward to your cooperation with TND Axle to jointly promote the development of the industry and create a brilliant win-win future.
