The most common bearings used in the automotive industry

All moving parts of an automobile require bearings to function. Bearings improve the performance of the vehicle, withstand heavy loads and reduce friction. Some of the major subsystems that use bearings are engines, transmissions, transfer cases, wheels, steering, motors, pumps, etc. In addition, even windshield wipers, mirrors, doors and hood hinges require bearings to operate smoothly.

While there are dozens of ball bearings on the market, that doesn't mean the automotive industry doesn't have their favorites. Mechanical bearings are used between two automotive components that allow for rotational or linear motion. These bearings will improve vehicle performance, withstand heavy loads and reduce friction. Today, we're looking at the top 3 bearings used in the automotive industry.

1. Thrust bearings

Thrust bearings consist of three main parts. Like most other ball bearings, they help support the axial load and allow rotation between the two parts. There are many different types of thrust bearings available, such as: tapered roller thrust bearings, cylindrical bearings and spherical bearings. These bearings are commonly used in automotive and aerospace applications.

2. Rolling Bearings

Rolling bearings reduce rotational friction between two surfaces; possibly vehicles and sidewalks. The bearings allow speed variations by supporting radial and axial loads. They are essential in automobiles and are one of the most commonly used bearings in the automotive industry.

3. Sliding bearings

Plain old plain bearings without rolling elements are widely used in the automotive industry. This is mainly because they have the ability to withstand heavy loads and large load carrying capacity. Not to mention that they are usually the cheapest. Compared to other rolling bearings, plain bearings also have a longer service life.

The bearing industry is rapidly introducing a new generation of bearings based on design concepts to reduce noise, vibration, weight reduction, durability and other performance parameters. Hebei Nicer Technology Bearing Co., Ltd has increased its investment in research and development (R&D) to produce bearing designs on demand.

For more information on how ball bearings can benefit your vehicle, or which ball bearings should be used to achieve optimum performance for automotive applications, please feel free to contact us.