Do the small steel balls in the axle reduce friction or increase friction?
2 Answers
The small steel balls in the axle are designed to reduce friction. Automotive bearings are fundamental components in the vehicle's transmission system, bearing both axial and radial loads, making them a crucial part of the vehicle. Automotive bearings constitute a significant portion of the bearing industry, including wheel hub bearings, air conditioning fan bearings, and pulley bearings, among others. Bearings primarily serve two functions: 1. Ensuring that the shock absorber can rotate with the wheel during vehicle steering, maintaining steering flexibility. 2. The outer ring of the pressure bearing is made of rubber, providing a soft connection between the vehicle body and the shock absorber, preventing vibrations from uneven road surfaces from being transmitted through the shock absorber to the vehicle body during driving.
As a driver with over twenty years of experience, I've always found the small steel balls in the axle to be truly amazing. They're definitely not there to increase friction—quite the opposite, they're helpers in reducing it. Without them, the axle would experience direct dry friction, making the wheels harder to turn, consuming more fuel, and generating more noise. I've encountered this several times: when the bearings age and the steel balls wear out, friction increases, the car starts creaking, and acceleration slows down. Nowadays, with more frequent maintenance and new bearings installed, friction is reduced, handling becomes smoother, and fuel efficiency improves. Paying attention to subtle sounds while driving can help detect steel ball issues early and prevent potential hazards. In short, these little guys are key to lubrication. Proper maintenance can extend the car's lifespan by several years, making it both safer and more economical.
