An automotive hub is the part of a rotating mechanism that has a hole in it. It is essential for fitting onto a shaft or axle. But in order to better understand what a hub is, you should consider in detail its purpose.
Car hub purpose
Typically, a car hub connects to a disc, spokes, or wheel rim. The bearings are often installed in a bore located in the hub. Such a mechanism will be as strong as possible if you make the car hub twice the diameter of the hole itself. If you look at the hub of any car, you can see this feature of the machine design. In order to avoid distortions, the hub is usually made longer than the diameter of its hole.
Basically, a car hub is a rotating suspension element to which the wheels of a car must be attached. When it comes to driving wheels, the hub is the transmission element. In addition to the wheels, brakes are also attached to the hub. The same can be said for the axle flanges. They are also fixed to the hubs. This design is especially typical for trucks.
It can be said that the hub is used to secure car wheels and enable them to rotate. Even the braking system of cars is tied to such an important part as the hub. Typically, standard automotive hubs are made from cast iron or various grades of steel.
Features of fastening the hub to the wheel
The hub is usually attached to the wheel with a variety of bearings. The fastening is carried out on a bridge beam or an axis of rotation, which is also called a trunnion. There is also a flange on the hub. A wheel brake disc is usually attached to the flange if the brakes are disc brakes. If the brakes are drum brakes, the drum is mounted on the flange.
Standard hub sizes
Different car models are equipped with hubs of different diameters. But the rule must always be observed that the hub cylinder can be fitted to the wheels with a minimum tolerance. There is a so-called DIA system, which sets the diameters of car wheels. If the wheels are smaller than their intended size, they will not be able to fit on the hub. If the wheels are larger, they will just dangle. Sometimes manufacturers make wheels with fairly large diameters. True, for the correct installation of the disc on the hub, special adapter rings have to be used. In this case, these adapter rings help keep the wheel centered on the hub.
