ASTM D4290-94(1999)
(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
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, except apparatus dimensions, are to be regarded as the standard. Apparatus dimensions in inches 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 hazard statements, see Notes 3 through 6.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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An American National Standard
Designation: D 4290 – 94 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Leakage Tendencies of Automotive Wheel
Bearing Grease Under Accelerated Conditions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4290; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.3 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricant
1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for
to form the product’s structure.
evaluating leakage tendencies of wheel bearing greases when
3.1.3.1 Discussion—The solid thickener can be fibers (such
tested under prescribed conditions.
as various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
1.2 The values stated in SI units, except apparatus dimen-
non-soap thickeners) which are insoluble or, at the most, only
sions, are to be regarded as the standard. Apparatus dimensions
very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
in inches are to be regarded as the standard.
requirements are that the solid particles be extremely small,
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
uniformly dispersed, and capable of forming a relatively stable,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.1 automotive wheel bearing grease, n— a lubricating
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
grease specifically formulated to lubricate automotive wheel
statements, see Notes 3-6.
bearings at relatively high grease temperatures and bearing
2. Referenced Documents
speeds.
3.2.2 leakage, n—of wheel bearing grease, separation and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
overflow of grease or oil from the bulk grease charge, induced
D 235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits)
by high temperatures and bearing rotation.
(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvents)
D 770 Specification for Isopropyl Alcohol
4. Summary of Test Method
D 1310 Test Method for Flash Point and Fire Point of
3 4.1 The test grease is distributed in a modified, automobile
Liquids by Tag Open-Cup Apparatus
front wheel hub-spindle-bearings assembly. While the bearings
2.2 Other Standard:
4 are thrust-loaded to 111 N, the hub is rotated at 1000 rpm and
AFBMA Standard 19 1974 (ANSI B.3.19-1975)
the spindle temperature maintained at 160°C for 20 h. Leakage
3. Terminology of grease or oil, or both, is measured, and the condition of the
bearing surface is noted at the end of the test.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 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
3.1.1.1 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. It is not the equivalent of long-time service
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
tests.
commonly included to impart special properties.
5.2 This test method has proven to be helpful in screening
3.1.2 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
greases with respect to leakage tendencies for automotive
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
wheel bearing applications.
NOTE 1—It is possible for skilled operators to observe changes in
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
grease characteristics that can occur during the test, such as grease
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
condition. Leakage is reported as a quantitative value, whereas the
D02.G on Lubricating Grease.
evaluation of grease condition is subject to differences in personal
Current edition approved Apr. 15, 1994. Published June 1994. Originally
judgment among operators and cannot be used effectively for quantitative
published as D 4290 – 83. Last previous edition D 4290 – 88.
measurements.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.04.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 4290 – 94 (1999)
NOTE 4—Warning: Flammable. Harmful if inhaled.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Test Assembly (Figs. 1 and 2). 8.3 Isopropyl Alcohol, 99 % Specification D 770.
(Warning—See Note 5.)
6.1.1 Custom-made Wheel Hub-Spindle-Bearing Assembly
(Fig. 3).
NOTE 5—Warning: Flammable.
6.1.2 Oven, electrically heated by 1800 watt heater, thermo-
8.4 Stoddard Solvent (see Specification D 235) (
statically controlled to maintain spindle temperature at 160 6
Warning—See Note 6.)
1.5°C.
6.1.3 Spindle Drive Motor, ⁄4 hp, 120 volts dc with 1725
NOTE 6—Warning: Combustible. Vapors may be harmful.
rpm speed control for the hub; motor torque is indicated by a
8.5 SAE 10W Engine Oil.
meter equipped with an adjustable, automatic cut-off.
8.6 00 Grade Steel Wool.
6.1.4 Fan Drive Motor, ⁄30 hp, 120 v dc, 1550 rpm.
6.2 Motor speed, oven temperature, spindle temperature, 9. Preparation of Bearings
time cycles and torque are controlled or monitored, or both, by
9.1 Carefully remove new bearings (cups and cones) from
accessory equipment.
their packages and place in a 250-mL beaker. Wash with
6.3 A grease slinger has been added since the original
n-Heptane to remove all rust preventative.
design of the apparatus. Fig. 4 shows the slinger used for the
9.2 Repeat washing with n-Heptane two additional times to
hub of Koehler and Pam apparatus.
be certain all rust preventative has been removed. Use a clean
beaker each time.
NOTE 2—The slinger was developed to prevent grease from creeping
9.3 Drain n-Heptane from the bearings and set them on a
along the hub and being slung off past the grease collector. Greases that
crept during the test can lead to erroneously low results. Addition of the
clean, lint-free cloth to air dry.
slinger will not affect the precision data in Section 13 because none of the
NOTE 7—Cleaning may be facilitated by the use of a sonic cleaner.
round-robin greases exhibited grease creepage.
6.4 Balance, having a minimum capacity of 100 g and
10. Procedure
minimum sensitivity of 0.1 g.
10.1 Prior to each test, check the freedom of movement of
the thrust loading shaft (Fig. 3) in the spindle. If binding is
7. Test Bearings
noted, remove and clean both shaft and spindle bore.
7.1 Use LM67048-LM67010 and LM11949-LM11910
10.2 Install new cups in the cleaned hub in the location
(AFBMA Standard 19) inboard and outboard bearings respec-
shown by Figs. 1 and 2.
tively.
10.3 Weigh an inboard and outboard bearing cone to the
8. Reagents and Materials 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
8.1 Penetone ECS ( Warning—See Note 3.)
care to avoid moving the rollers or bearing components while
NOTE 3—Warning: Combustible. Vapors can be harmful.
removing the cones from the cups and in all subsequent wiping
and handling steps. Strike off excess grease flush with the front
8.2 n-Reagent or ASTM Grade n-Heptane (see Test
Method D 1310) (Warning—See Note 4.) face of the cone (near small end of rollers) using a small
spatula. Wipe all grease from cone bore, cone back face,
exterior cage surfaces, and exposed roller surfaces with a clean,
Timken or Bower bearings (or their equivalent) are suitable.
Available from Penetone Corp., 74 Hudson Ave., Tenaply, NJ 07670.
lint-free cloth or towel and reweigh. Adjust the grease weight
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.04.
in the inboard cone to 3.0 6 0.1 g and in the outboard cone to
FIG. 1 Wheel Bearing Lubricant Tester (Elevation View)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 4290 – 94 (1999)
FIG. 2 Wheel Bearing Lubricant Tester (Top View)
FIG. 3 Spindle and Thrust Rod Components
2.0 6 0.1 g by wiping or adding grease to the groove between compress F by tightening G until the compression gage (J) will
the cage and the cone back face. Apply a thin film of grease on fit between H and G. Hold J in position and back off G until J
the cups. is held firmly between H and G.
10.4 Distribute 55.0 6 0.2 g of grease in a uniform layer in
NOTE 8—Compression gage J has been machined such that insertion
the hub.
and adjustment of G causes spring F to compress and apply a 111-N
10.5 Weigh the leakage collector to the nearest 0.1 g.
(25-lbf) axial load on the wheel
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