Angular Contact Ball Bearings for a Rear Axle Differential 2003-01-3743

In passenger car axle differentials, axially preloaded tapered roller bearings have been used exclusively since their rigidity and life are sufficient for this application. In real life applications, the bearing preload during transmission life is reduced due to wear in the contact between the roller and the rib, and preload can even be lost completely. This preload loss in the bearing supports has an immediate effect on the tooth contact between the pinion and the ring and it causes noise during operation and reduced gear teeth life. INA has now developed a new bearing design that meets the requirements for high rigidity, long life and no preload loss during operation. In addition, friction losses in the bearing supports are reduced and transmission efficiency increases because the tapered roller bearings used previously have been replaced by an angular contact ball bearing.