Rely on tested quality and order high-quality wheel bearing kits online.

Rely on certified quality and order high-quality wheel bearing kits conveniently online.

Wheel bearings are among the most heavily stressed wearing parts on a vehicle. They are not only responsible for driving comfort, but are also a safety-critical component which, in the worst case, can determine the controllability of the truck. A defect often announces itself gradually, but without timely replacement it can lead to expensive consequential damage to the wheel hub and axle journal or even to the wheel locking.

Silent companions under heavy load

Wheel bearings transmit the enormous forces between the wheel and axle and allow the wheel hub to rotate freely with the lowest possible frictional resistance. This has a direct effect on fuel consumption: A smooth-running bearing saves energy. They have to cope with two types of load at the same time:

  1. Radial forces: The weight of the vehicle and the load that presses vertically on the bearing.
  2. Axial forces: Lateral guidance forces that arise particularly when cornering and load the bearing laterally.
Wheel bearing/set

In modern truck wheel bearing units (truck hub units), two inner sets (usually tapered roller bearings) and a common outer ring are often integrated. These so-called compact bearings are preset at the factory and lubricated for life (“lubricated for life”) in order to minimize assembly errors and ensure tightness against splash water and dirt.

What should you look out for when buying:

EXACT SPECIFICATION

The wheel bearing set must exactly match your axle and wheel hub model (inner diameter, width, mounting pattern).

SPARE PARTS

Make sure that all necessary parts are included (e.g. seals, protective caps) so that no component is missing when replacing.

LUBRICATION

Give preference to bearing units that are supplied preconfigured and lubricated to ensure correct installation and functionality.

Torque and seal: The content of a set

Why should you always buy a complete set?

A wheel bearing set typically contains not only the bearing itself, but also all the mandatory mounting parts required for replacement:

  • Seals (radial shaft seals): Prevent grease leakage and water ingress. Old seals are often brittle and have been damaged during removal.
  • Securing elements: cotter pins, retaining rings or locking plates.
  • Fastening: New axle nuts or expansion bolts, which may only be used once.
  • Protective cover: hub caps, in case they are damaged during removal.

How can you recognize a defective wheel bearing?

Worn wheel bearings are often noticeable acoustically.

A low humming or grinding noise that intensifies when cornering is a typical warning signal.
An excessively hot rim after driving (without heavy braking) or noticeable play on the raised wheel also indicate a defect.

In modern vehicles, ABS sensors can also issue error messages, as an “egging” wheel bearing distorts the distance to the sensor.

All components must be precisely dimensioned and matched to each other so that torque, lateral load, vibration and temperature are absorbed evenly and reliably.

If you cut corners here, you run the risk of the new bearing failing again after just a few kilometers due to ingress of dirt or incorrect preload.

Expert guide: Everything about truck wheel bearing kits, maintenance & technology

A change is necessary as soon as grinding noises occur, the wheel bearing play becomes too large or uneven heating of the hub is detected during servicing.

A complete set usually contains the bearing itself, suitable oil seals (radial shaft seals), split pins, lock washers and often also the required grease filling.

Typical symptoms are a humming or grinding noise that changes when cornering, as well as noticeable vibrations in the chassis or on the steering wheel.

It is essential to replace the seals and locking elements when replacing bearings in order to prevent the ingress of dirt and the loss of grease.

Tapered roller bearings consist of two parts and often need to be adjusted. Compact bearings (unitized bearings) are maintenance-free units that are already preset and greased.

A damaged bearing massively increases rolling resistance due to increased friction, which can lead to a measurable increase in fuel consumption.

Special high-temperature rolling bearing greases must be used that remain stable even under extreme pressure and heat (e.g. due to braking processes).

Yes, a seized bearing can damage the stub axle to such an extent that the entire axle has to be replaced or extensively repaired.

Tapered roller bearings are the classic design, in which two separate bearings are usually installed per wheel hub. Here, the bearing clearance must be adjusted manually and lubrication often has to be carried out manually. Compact bearings (also known as unit bearings), on the other hand, are pre-assembled, closed units. They are already greased, sealed and set to the exact bearing clearance at the factory. While conventional wheel bearings are often cheaper to purchase as individual components, compact bearings offer enormous time savings during installation and minimize the risk of installation errors (such as incorrect torque or contamination), making them the most economical choice for modern fleets.

Wheel bearing

Safely stabilize your wheel hub!

Avoid expensive downtimes. Use tested complete solutions for bearings, seals and mountings to ensure vibration-free running and maximum service life of your wheel bearings. Find the right set in our range and upgrade your suspension reliably.