ASTM D3527-07

Standard Test Method for Life Performance of Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method differentiates among wheel bearing greases having distinctly different high-temperature characteristics. It is not the equivalent of longtime service tests, nor is it intended to distinguish between the products having similar high-temperature performance properties.  
This test method has proven to be helpful in screening greases with respect to life performance for automotive wheel bearing applications.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for evaluating the high-temperature life performance of wheel bearing greases when tested under prescribed conditions. Note 1 - Changes to this test method in the 1985 revision increased test severity. Results will not be comparable with data from earlier procedures.
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.
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 8.1-8.4.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jul-2007
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.G0.05 - Functional Tests - Temperature

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3527-02 - Standard Test Method for Life Performance of Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007
• Replaced By: ASTM D3527-07e1 - Standard Test Method for Life Performance of Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D6185-11(2017) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Compatibility of Binary Mixtures of Lubricating Greases
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D4950-22 - Standard Classification and Specification for Automotive Service Greases
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D4693-07(2021) - Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Torque of Grease-Lubricated Wheel Bearings
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F2489-06(2022) - Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants—Part 2 Greases
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation:D3527–07
Standard Test Method for
1
Life Performance of Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3527; 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 3.1.3.1 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 the high-temperature life performance of wheel
very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
bearing greases when tested under prescribed conditions.
requirements are that the solid particles be extremely small,
NOTE 1—Changestothistestmethodinthe1985revisionincreasedtest
uniformlydispersed,andcapableofformingarelativelystable,
severity.Resultswillnotbecomparablewithdatafromearlierprocedures.
gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.
1.2 The values stated in SI units, except apparatus dimen-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
sions, are to be regarded as the standard.Apparatus dimensions
3.2.1 automotive wheel bearing grease, n—a lubricating
in inches are to be regarded as the standard.
grease specifically formulated to lubricate automotive wheel
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
bearings at relatively high grease temperatures and bearing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
speeds.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.2 grease life, n—of wheel bearing grease, amount of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
time operated under prescribed conditions of load, speed, and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
temperature until preset torque limit is exceeded.
warning statements, see 8.1-8.4.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The off-time, which is part of the 20 h
and 4 h off-cycle, is not recorded and is not included as part of
2. Referenced Documents
grease life.
2.1 AFBMA Standard:
2
4. Summary of Test Method
AFBMA Standard 19, 1974 (ANSI B. 3.19-1975)
4.1 The test grease is distributed in the bearings of a
3. Terminology
modified, automobile front wheel hub-spindle-bearings assem-
3.1 Definitions:
bly. While the bearings are thrust-loaded to 111 N, the hub is
3.1.1 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
rotated at 1000 rpm and the spindle temperature maintained at
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
160°C for 20 h,4hoff operating cycle. The test is terminated
3.1.2 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
when grease deterioration causes the drive motor torque to
a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
exceed a calculated motor cut off value. Grease life is ex-
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Thedispersionofthethickenerformsa
pressed as the accumulated on-cycle hours.
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
5. Significance and Use
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
commonly included to impart special properties.
5.1 This test method differentiates among wheel bearing
3.1.3 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
greases having distinctly different high-temperature character-
posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricant
istics. It is not the equivalent of longtime service tests, nor is it
to form the product’s structure.
intended to distinguish between the products having similar
high-temperature performance properties.
1 5.2 This test method has proven to be helpful in screening
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
greases with respect to life performance for automotive wheel
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.G0.05 on Functional Tests - Temperature.
bearing applications.
Current edition approved July 15, 2007. Published August 2007. Originally
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D 3527–02.
2
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4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
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D3527–07
NOTE—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)
5
6. Apparatus 8.3 Penmul L460 (previously called Penetone ECS) —
3 (Warning
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