Anther of ball bearing: overview, device, diagram

The ball bearing in modern cars is one of the elements of the suspension system for steered wheels. Due to this support, the suspension arms are fixed, but with some mobility, fixed to the wheel hub. This very support is located on the bottom of the car and is experiencing serious loads. To protect the mechanism from the harmful effects of dust and dirt from the road, use an anther of the ball joint.

Function

This part in its design represents a hinge with which the wheel hub is fixed to the suspension arm. The main task solved by the element is to give the pivot wheel the freedom to move in the horizontal planes, but the movements in the vertical plane - completely eliminated. But the ball part can be found not only as supports of the hub. They are installed in the collapsible levers and steering trapezoids.

Also, this hinge is found in some gas hood stops. Previously, instead of ball joints, pivot hinges were used. These are heavy machinery, which required a lot of lubricants for ideal work. Most importantly - the wheel was free to rotate only in one axis, which is not the best way reflected on the handling of the car as a whole. The engineers who created the ball joint already knew then that it would experience incredible loads. Any impact from the roadway will be given to this hinge. Also, an anther of a hinge of equal angular velocities and shock absorbers suffers. All this negatively affects the serviceability of the suspension and the steering mechanism.

The detail was not covered with diamond dust, as there is not much point in this. And the mechanism itself has become a consumable material, which, if necessary, can easily be replaced with a new one. The anther of the ball joint partly protects the hinge mechanism from wear due to the abrasive action of dirt and dust. If this protective element were not present, the life of the hinge was several days.

How the support works

In the beginning, this part looked like a body, in which a ball finger was placed, pressed through a metal plate by a spring. Above it was installed an anther of a spherical support. In order for the part to work more than two or three days, a sufficient amount of lubricants is laid inside. Those who serve such details know that after lubrication, or rather its quantity and quality, it is necessary to regularly monitor. But this design was not always used. When the era of plastic came, the spring was removed from the element. Part of the finger was enclosed in a detail resembling a hemisphere.

It was formed by inserts of plastic. More design has not changed, and the only change is the replacement of plastic with nylon, which has greater resistance to wear. Manufacturers today produce serviced and maintenance-free joints. So, on serviced special oiler are installed. They can be disassembled to replace grease. However, the last ten years, dismountable structures are not used.

How many ball bearings are in the car?

The number of these joints is reduced to what type of suspension is installed in the car. In the simplest systems such as "MacPherson" two elements are used. They are both located below. With the increase in leverage, the number of supports increases.

On two-link suspension systems, two supports are mounted on each side - upper and lower. In the most complex solutions there can be up to five elements.

The need for anther

The anther on the ball joint was always installed and it does not matter at all whether the collapsible hinge is separate or integrated into the lever. As is clear from the description of the algorithm of action and the design of the support, it is constantly in motion. In order to maximize the work of the hinge, it is necessary to have a lubricant, as well as the cleanliness of the friction surfaces. If sand, mud or dust gets into the lubricants, or simply on the rubbing surfaces, then these substances will work as an abrasive. This will lead to intense wear of parts rubbing together.

What should an anther be?

The anther of the ball joint is designed to protect the mechanism from dirt, sand and other contaminants from the road. This is a rubber cover that is put on a specific knot. In addition, that the dust cover protects the part from dirt, it also helps prevent grease leakage from the hinge. The anther is firmly fixed on the support. For an element to perfectly perform its protective function, it has a number of specific characteristics and properties.

The part must necessarily be elastic, since the hinge is movable. Also, the product does not lose its properties in a fairly wide temperature range. In winter, when the air temperature can drop low enough, the dustbin is elastic. But it should be excessively soft when exposed to high temperatures. The product is made of a material that is not susceptible to aggressive media or chemicals. Most of the nodes that are protected by anthers, and the ball joint including, are located on the outside. There is a certain risk that chemicals or reagents can get to their surface. In addition, the dust cover is resistant to contact with fuels and lubricants. Inside the unit there is a lubricant, which means that it will be on the inside surface of the product too. Lubricant leaks are possible, and some of them appear on the outside of the part.

What does the element look like?

The anther of the lower ball joint (or upper) is a mushroom-shaped cover. The wide part of the element is mounted directly on the body. The finger passes through a narrower hole. These products are often fixed only on the body. For this, a snap ring is used. The finger does not need fixation. The protective element is kept by a tight fit.

Replacement of anther of a spherical support

In the event of damage to this part, replacing it is very simple.

It is enough to detach the assembly from the wheel hub. Then, using a screwdriver, the locking ring is pushed in and the protective element can easily be removed from the support. Now you can install a new element, but before installing it, it is better to rinse the rubbing surfaces of the support and lubricate them. If the lower support is out of order, then both parts are subject to replacement, even if the upper one is intact. The anther of the upper ball joint also changes. Often it goes in the kit.

Summary

Replacement of anther is inexpensive. Therefore, in case of its damage, you do not need to pull with the purchase. This piece prevents the ball from coming out of service. Any diagnostics of the chassis and suspension of the car begins precisely with the checking of the seals. After all, if an asshole is torn, then the knot that he defended is soon worn out. The anvil of the ball joint VAZ can be bought for 200-300 rubles, but its role in the suspension system is quite serious. The reasons for which the ball bearings fail are only three. The first is shock loads on the suspension system. It happens if you drive through rails at high speeds. The second reason is the lack of lubrication where it is needed. And, finally, the third is the ruined anther. Therefore, do not underestimate the function of these elements. Timely replacement of anther will prevent expensive repair of the ball joint.