Bearing Application Requirements
As the automobile industry continues to evolve, so too does consumer demand for vehicle safety, technological advancement and affordability. One such system that is proving effective at meeting these demands is the electronic stability control system.
As more and more vehicles incorporate this system, component reliability and dependability are critical. In fact, given the high risk of directional instability caused by various road conditions, bearings in the axle bars of electronic stability control systems must be extremely durable and resistant to shock loads.
Recently, a manufacturer of axle bars found that, due to their moving parts, needle bearings were too fragile for this automotive application, and the numerous moving parts were proving unreliable and simply not as cost effective as they once were.
They turned to GGB for a high performance plain bearings solution.
GGB Car Bearing Solutions
DP4® self-lubricating metal-polymer bearings consist of a strong steel backing, a porous bronze sinter layer and a polymer resin lining. DP4® low friction plain bearings feature a thin wall design for reduced space and weight when compared to traditional needle bearings. DP4® low-friction bearings are generally free from stick slip and operate without external lubrication.
The one-piece design of DP4® bearings has a much greater contact area with the axle bar than needle bearings, providing excellent shock load resistance to ensure optimal vehicle performance on any terrain. The lead-free DP4® bearing was chosen for this automotive application because of its performance benefits over needle bearings and its compliance with EVL, WEEE and RoHS specifications.
GGB Automobile Bearings - Benefits
DP4® metal-polymer car bearings offer the following benefits over needle bearings in axle bar applications:
- Less friction
- Higher load capacity and excellent shock load resistance
- Quieter performance, helping reduce NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness)
- Space and weight savings thanks to its compact, one piece design