Parts specialist MEYLE has highlighted it MEYLE‑ORIGINAL wheel bearing range and provided some useful information to help technicians get a better understanding of variations on these crictal components.

MEYLE technical experts point out that wheel bearings are responsible for the vehicle's road holding performance and thus critical for vehicle safety. As an integral part of the axle suspension system their task is to guide the wheels and depending on the design  transmit the driving forces. Some designs also feature sensors and encoder rings that collect and transmit data to the ABS and ESP systems.

The parts have to combat much stress and typical symptoms of a defective wheel bearing are metallic running noises and increased wheel rock. To prevent wheel bearing failure, car drivers should have a defective wheel bearing immediately replaced by a professional repair service. If one or several wheel bearings fail, the vehicle's stability is at stake and the ABS system may no longer function properly.

MEYLE‑ORIGINAL wheel bearings have a low-wear design featuring a specially cured flange, water-repellent high-performance, water repellent, grease and made-to-measure seal. Each MEYLE‑ORIGINAL wheel bearing flange undergoes special curing during production.

The range offers wheel bearings of all generations designed to OE specifications and available both individually and as full-service kits complete with all the required accessory parts. Special features of the MEYLE-ORIGINAL design for each generation include:

• 1st generation - First-generation wheel bearings are fitted with single-row or double-row tapered roller bearings or double-row angular-contact ball bearings.
• 2nd generation – These bearings additionally feature a mounting flange to allow for assembly on the wheel carrier. MEYLE‑ORIGINAL wheel bearings are available for both powered and non-powered axles.
• 3rd generation - Third-generation wheel bearings are pre-assembled wheel bearing units featuring two mounting flanges, one to mount the wheel and brake disc and one to attach the bearing unit to the vehicle suspension. Some designs also include integrated rpm sensors to pick up and transmit ABS and ESP signals.

MEYLE technical experts also advise that along with replacing a defective wheel bearing technicians should always performing a function check of the second wheel bearing on the same axle and that when replacing a first-generation wheel bearing, it is important to ensure correct orientation of the magnetic encoder ring in order for the ABS system to function properly. In order to ensure proper installation of second-generation MEYLE‑ORIGINAL wheel bearings, special tooling is required, which applies force to the rear of the bearing shell thus preventing damage to the wheel bearing's inner components. They also advise that when replacing a first-generation open wheel bearing, it is essential to lubricate the new wheel bearing using a high-performance grease. Conventional types of grease, such as graphite grease, will cause the rollers to seize and destroy the rolling bearing components before long.

The "MEYLE Mechanics" have produced a video guiding repairers through a professional wheel bearing replacement procedure which can be seen below.

MEYLE and MEYLE HD parts are available from stockist nationwide and are distributed in Ireland by Strongline Autoparts. For more information call 01-462-4631.