Pioneering every major advance in wheel end technology since the invention of the automobile. 

Wheel hub bearings and kits

We supply wheel bearings to most OE car manufacturers in the world and today more than 90 million cars run on our bearings. The SKF vehicle aftermarket benefits greatly from the company's OE expertise and our range covers 98% of the European car parc.

Features and benefits

  • Product range of over 1000 kits includes three generations of wheel bearing designs
  • SKF patented X-tracker for high performance, high load vehicles
  • All bearings are sealed for life with high performance, application-specific grease
  • Kits include any nuts, bolts, or screws necessary to carry out a complete repair
  • Fitting instructions, technical bulletins and replacement videos available to help carry out accurate and efficient repairs
  • SKF designs and manufactures seals to complete our bearing offer
  • Also available with OE quality ABS impulse ring and sensors for maximum braking safety

First generation bearings

Pioneering every major advance in wheel end technology since the invention of the automobile.

The SKF first-generation hub bearing unit was actually developed in the late '60s in response to automotive industry interest in pre-adjusted wheel bearing assemblies for small-medium vehicles. The HBU1 unit is found on vehicles such as Renault Laguna, Honda Accord, BMW X3, Citroen C3 and Peugeot 207.

Features and performance

  • Double row angular contact ball bearings: provide exact load support needed for smooth cornering.
  • Matched rings and ball sets: give the correct axial clearance for optimum performance and durability.
  • Patented glass-fibre reinforced polyamide cages: resist high loads and operating temperatures.  
  • Precision machined to tight tolerances: minimizes power loss and increases power density.
  • Perfectly forged with premium quality steel: avoids raceway spalling for longer bearing life.
  • Optimized raceway contact angles: provide correct pre-load conditions for accurate installation.
  • Multiple-lip seal design: keeps contaminants out and grease inside the hub.
  • SKF GHG Grease: exclusive formula ensures low operating friction.

Second generation bearings

Reducing weight and friction since the 70's

In the early 1970s, the Hub Unit 2 emerged offering more compact, lightweight and efficient solutions. Building on the HBU1 design, HBU2 incorporated a flange with the bearing outer ring. The HBU 2.1 combines an HBU1 with a flange ensuring fast and simple installation on vehicles. Typically found on non-driven front or rear wheels and can be found on models such as the Audi A3, BMW 3 (E46), VW Golf V, Peugeot 307, Fiat Bravo and Fiat Grande Punto.

Features and performance

  • Robust, light-weight and coated flange: avoids galvanised corrosion for easier wheel replacement and longer bearing life.
  • Accurate bearing pre-load using orbital rolling techniques: provides correct operating conditions for optimum performance and durability.*
  • High stiffness: ensures a smoother drive and better vehicle handling.
  • Correct induction-hardening processes: strengthens raceways and avoids hub fractures for safety and long service life.
  • High tensile strength wheel studs: prevent wheel-off conditions.
  • Multiple-lip seal design: keeps contaminants out and grease inside the hub.
  • Patented glass-fibre reinforced polyamide cages: resist high loads and operating temperatures.
  • SKF GHG Grease: exclusive formula ensures low operating friction.

*HBU2.1

Third generation bearings

A more compact new wave in the '80s

By the early 1980s, demand was still growing for ever-shrinking, fully integrated designs. The HBU3 offered it by incorporating a flange for wheel and brake rotor attachment and a second flange for fixing the unit to the suspension. The unit incorporates further reductions in weight, noise, vibration and assembly time for driven and no-driven wheels on vehicles including the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, Dacia Duster, Mini Cooper, BMW 7 (E65), Audi A6, VW Passat V and Opel Insigna and Astra H.

Features and performance

  • Separate inner ring on the inboard ball row: maximises the dynamic load carrying capacity.
  • Robust, light-weight and coated flange: avoids galvanised corrosion for easier wheel replacement and longer bearing life.
  • Accurate bearing pre-load using orbital rolling techniques: provides correct conditions for optimum performance and durability.
  • High stiffness: ensures a smoother drive and better vehicle handling.
  • Correct induction-hardening processes: strengthens raceways and avoids hub fractures for safety and long service life.
  • High tensile strength wheel studs: prevent wheel-off conditions.
  • Multiple-lip seal design: keeps contaminants out and grease inside the hub.
  • Patented glass-fibre reinforced polyamide cages: resist high loads and operating temperatures.
  • SKF GHG Grease: exclusive formula ensures low operating friction.

Hub bearing kits

Depending on the part number, the kit will include the HBU1 bearing and flange, and one or more of these components: axle nut, circlip, o-ring, seal, or other parts.