ASTM D4290-07(2012)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining the Leakage Tendencies of Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease Under Accelerated Conditions
Standard Test Method for Determining the Leakage Tendencies of Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease Under Accelerated Conditions
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method differentiates among wheel bearing greases having distinctly different high-temperature leakage characteristics. It is not the equivalent of longtime service tests.
This test method has proven to be helpful in screening greases with respect to leakage tendencies for automotive wheel bearing applications.
Note 1—It is possible for skilled operators to observe changes in grease characteristics that can occur during the test, such as grease condition. Leakage is reported as a quantitative value, whereas the evaluation of grease condition is subject to differences in personal judgment among operators and cannot be used effectively for quantitative measurements.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for evaluating leakage tendencies of wheel bearing greases when tested under prescribed conditions.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. The exception is apparatus dimensions, in inches, which are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see Section 8.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D4290 − 07(Reapproved 2012)
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Leakage Tendencies of Automotive Wheel
Bearing Grease Under Accelerated Conditions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4290; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.3.1 Discussion—The solid thickener can be fibers (such
as various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for
non-soap thickeners) which are insoluble or, at the most, only
evaluating leakage tendencies of wheel bearing greases when
very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
tested under prescribed conditions.
requirements are that the solid particles be extremely small,
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
uniformlydispersed,andcapableofformingarelativelystable,
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.
standard. The exception is apparatus dimensions, in inches,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
which are to be regarded as the standard.
3.2.1 automotive wheel bearing grease, n—a lubricating
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
grease specifically formulated to lubricate automotive wheel
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
bearings at relatively high grease temperatures and bearing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
speeds.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.2 leakage, n—of wheel bearing grease, separation and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
overflow of grease or oil from the bulk grease charge, induced
warning statements, see Section 8.
by high temperatures and bearing rotation.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Test Method
2.1 AFBMA Standard:
4.1 The test grease is distributed in a modified, automobile
AFBMA Standard 19 1974 (ANSI B.3.19-1975)
front wheel hub-spindle-bearings assembly.While the bearings
are thrust-loaded to 111 N, the hub is rotated at 1000 rpm and
3. Terminology
the spindle temperature maintained at 160°C for 20 h. Leakage
3.1 Definitions:
of grease or oil, or both, is measured, and the condition of the
3.1.1 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
bearing surface is noted at the end of the test.
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
3.1.2 lubricating grease, n—a semifluid to solid product of 5. Significance and Use
a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
5.1 This test method differentiates among wheel bearing
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a
greases having distinctly different high-temperature leakage
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
characteristics.Itisnottheequivalentoflongtimeservicetests.
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
5.2 This test method has proven to be helpful in screening
commonly included to impart special properties.
greases with respect to leakage tendencies for automotive
3.1.3 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
wheel bearing applications.
posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricant
to form the product’s structure. NOTE1—Itispossibleforskilledoperatorstoobservechangesingrease
characteristics that can occur during the test, such as grease condition.
Leakage is reported as a quantitative value, whereas the evaluation of
grease condition is subject to differences in personal judgment among
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
operators and cannot be used effectively for quantitative measurements.
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.G0.05 on Functional Tests - Temperature.
6. Apparatus
Current edition approved April 15, 2012. Published May 2012. Originally
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4290–07. DOI:
6.1 Test Assembly (Figs. 1 and 2).
10.1520/D4290-07R12.
6.1.1 Custom-made Wheel Hub-Spindle-Bearing Assembly
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036. (Fig. 3).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4290 − 07 (2012)
NOTE 1—Caution should be taken when modifying older units since some may still contain asbestos insulation leading to a possible inhalation hazard.
FIG. 1 Wheel Bearing Lubricant Tester (Elevation View)
FIG. 2 Wheel Bearing Lubricant Tester (Top View)
6.1.2 Oven, electrically heated by 1800 watt heater, thermo- 6.4 Balance, having a minimum capacity of 100 g and
statically controlled to maintain spindle temperature at 160 6 minimum sensitivity of 0.1 g.
1.5°C.
7. Test Bearings
6.1.3 Spindle Drive Motor, ⁄4 hp, 120 volts dc with 1725
7.1 Use LM67048-LM67010 and LM11949-LM11910 (AF-
rpm speed control for the hub; motor torque is indicated by a
meter equipped with an adjustable, automatic cutoff. BMA Standard 19) inboard and outboard bearings, respec-
tively.
6.1.4 Fan Drive Motor, ⁄30 hp, 120 v dc, 1550 rpm.
6.2 Motor speed, oven temperature, spindle temperature,
8. Reagents and Materials
time cycles and torque are controlled or monitored, or both, by
8.1 Penmul L460 (previously called Penetone-ECS) —
accessory equipment.
(Warning—Combustible. Vapors can be harmful.)
6.3 A grease slinger has been added since the original
8.2 n-heptane—reagent grade minimum purity.
design of the apparatus. Fig. 4 shows the slinger used for the
(Warning—Flammable. Harmful if inhaled.)
hub of Koehler and Pam apparatus.
NOTE 2—The slinger was developed to prevent grease from creeping 3
The sole source of supply of Penmul L460 (previously called Penetone-ECS)
along the hub and being slung off past the grease collector. Greases that
knowntothecommitteeatthistimeisPenetoneCorp.,74HudsonAve.,Tenaply,NJ
crept during the test can lead to erroneously low results. Addition of the
07670. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to
slinger will not affect the precision data in Section 13 because none of the ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consider-
round-robin greases exhibited grease creepage. ation at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
D4290 − 07 (2012)
FIG. 3 Spindle and Thrust Rod Components
9. Preparation of Bearings
9.1 Carefully remove new bearings (cups and cones) from
their packages and place in a suitable clean container. Wash
with n-heptane to remove all rust preventative.
9.2 Repeat washing with n-heptane two additional times to
be certain all rust preventative has been removed. Use a clean
beaker each time.
9.3 Drain n-heptane from the bearings and set them on a
clean, lint-free cloth or towel to air dry.
NOTE 3—Cleaning may be facilitated by the use of a sonic cleaner.
10. Procedure
10.1 Prior to each test, check the freedom of movement of
the thrust loading shaft (Fig. 3) in the spindle. If binding is
noted, remove and clean both shaft and spindle bore.
10.2 Install new cups in the cleaned hub in the location
shown by Figs. 1 and 2.
10.3 Weigh an inboard and outboard bearing cone to the
nearest 0.1 g. Using the grease packer shown in Figs. 5 and 6
and an extra set of cups, fill the cones with the test grease. Use
care to avoid moving the rollers or bearing components while
removing the cones from the cups and in all subsequent wiping
and handling steps. Strike off excess grease flush with the front
face of the cone (near small end of rollers) using a small
FIG. 4 Grease Slingers for Pam and Koehler Hubs
spatula. Wipe all grease from cone bore, cone back face,
exteriorcagesurfaces,andexposedrollersurfaceswithaclean,
lint-free cloth or towel and reweigh. Adjust the grease weight
8.3 Isopropyl Alcohol—reagent grade minimum purity.
in the inboard cone to 3.0 6 0.1 g and in the outboard cone to
(Warning—Flammable.)
2.0 6 0.1 g by wiping or adding grease to the groove between
8.4 Mineral Spirits—reagent grade. (Warning—
the cage and the cone back face.Apply a thin film of grease on
Combustible. Vapors may be harmful.)
the cups.
8.5 SAE 10W Engine Oil.
10.4 Distribute 55.0 6 0.2 g of grease in a uniform layer in
8.6 00 Grade Steel Wool. the hub.
D4290 − 07 (2012)
temperature has stabilized at the test temperature, make no
further adjustment of the oven temperature for the duration of
the test.
10.10 Asteady-state running torque will develop in the first
2 h of operation as indicated by a stabilized value on the meter.
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