What Causes the Rear Wheel Hub of a Truck to Overheat?
3 Answers
Truck rear wheel hub overheating may be caused by excessively tight bearings or abnormal wear. Below is additional information about trucks: 1. Introduction: A truck is a commercial vehicle primarily designed and equipped for transporting goods. 2. Classification: (1) Semi-trailer: Refers to a vehicle where the engine compartment can be separated from the main body and reconnected using tools. The attached section is generally referred to as a flatbed, trailer, or semi-trailer frame. (2) Full trailer: This refers to a standard truck or semi-trailer with an additional flatbed, trailer, or semi-trailer frame attached. The attached configuration increases the turning radius and creates larger blind spots for the driver. (3) Dump truck: Also known as a tipper truck, this is a general term for open-top trucks mainly used to transport construction waste, sand, or gravel, as well as coal, ore, and similar materials.
Last month while hauling cargo, I encountered an issue with the rear wheel hub overheating. When I stopped and touched the wheel hub, it was scorching hot, which really startled me. The main causes were actually insufficient lubrication due to lack of grease in the hub bearing or improper adjustment of the bearing clearance. If the grease inside the hub dries out or gets contaminated with water, the bearing will experience dry friction, generating high temperatures. Another possibility is incomplete brake pad separation, causing the brake disc to constantly rub against the brake pad while driving, which generates heat that transfers to the hub. Additionally, if the oil seal in the wheel hub is damaged, grease leakage will accelerate wear. I remember that time when I called a mechanic, and upon disassembly, it turned out the oil seal was indeed broken. After replacing the oil seal and repacking it with grease, the problem was resolved. For long-distance trucks, it's especially important to regularly inspect the wheel axle components. If any issues are detected, stop immediately—don't push through, as it can lead to more severe failures.
Anyone in the transportation business knows that overheating of the rear wheel hubs is no small matter, often related to overloading and the braking system. When a vehicle is overloaded, the wheel bearings endure excessive pressure, significantly increasing friction and heat generation. Additionally, if the brake pad return spring fails, the brake pads remain in constant contact with the brake disc, continuously generating high temperatures through friction, which naturally transfers to the wheel hub. Moreover, a stuck brake caliper piston can lead to similar issues. I recommend checking the wheel hub temperature by hand after each stop; it should normally be warm but tolerable—if it's too hot to touch, there's a problem. If the temperature is excessively high, immediate troubleshooting is necessary. I recall a vehicle in our fleet that once caught fire due to this issue—not only was the repair particularly troublesome, but it also caused transportation delays and posed serious safety risks.
