Posts in:Bearing Usage

The Most Common Bearings Used In The Automotive Industry

Posted December 21, 2015 by admin

While there are dozens of ball bearings available on the market, that doesn’t mean that the automotive industry doesn’t have their favorites. Mechanical bearings are used between two automotive parts that allow for rotation or liner movements. These bearings will enhance the vehicles performance, bear heavy loads, and reduce friction. Today we’re looking at the top 3 bearings used in the automotive industry and why they just won’t turn anywhere else.

1. Ball Bearings
As a general overview, ball bearings are rolling bearings that allow for a decrease in friction rotating between two surfaces; likely a vehicle and the pavement. This bearing will allow for changes in speed, by supporting radial and axial loads. They are essential in automotives and are one of the most common bearings used in the automotive industry.

2. Plain Bearings
Regular, plain old bearings that contain no rolling elements are widely used in the automotive industry. This is mainly because they have the ability to bear heavy loads and large carrying capacities. Not to mention they are usually the least expensive. Plain bearings also have a long life-span in comparison to other rolling bearings.

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

For more information on how ball bearings can benefit your vehicle, or which ones should be used for the best performance of your automotive application, contact VNC Bearing.