Bearing technology in lorries

Find the right bearing for every installation position and requirement

Friction, wear, vibration, moisture and dirt are just some of the diverse requirements that must be considered when choosing the right bearing product in commercial vehicles. From vans to articulated lorries or from dump trucks to trailers, the challenges can vary greatly. In an example of a lorry with a trailer, we will show you the bearing materials that are best suited at various installation points and what needs to be considered when choosing.

Lorry with installation positions for bearings

Exterior and chassis

Interior and engine compartment

Steering linkage

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Gear lever

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Gearbox

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Seat adjustment driver's cab

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Headrest

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Exterior and chassis

Tipping mechanism for safe tilting of cab

Plain bearings built into the tipping mechanism must be able to withstand high edge loads even in the long term.

Since moisture and particles can easily enter the region behind the radiator grille, the products must also be resistant to corrosion and dirt.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur P210

Plain bearings made of the polymer material iglidur P210 are particularly suitable as tilt bearings for the lorry driver's cabs due to their high wear resistance and low coefficients of friction.

They absorb hardly any moisture, tolerate dirt and dust and are resistant to shocks and impacts as well as sustained edge pressure.

Bearing in tipper: Extremely durable and robust

Often installed on the telescopic cylinder, the weight absorbed by dump trucks also stresses the bearing points. As with many pivot points in commercial vehicles, high forces act here due to edge pressure.

A high level of dirt and dust accumulation must be accounted for when choosing bearing technology, not least because of the proximity to the loose bulk material transported in the trough.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur G

Due to very good friction specifications and high wear resistance, plain bearings made of iglidur G material are well suited for installation in dump trucks.

Dirt and whirled-up dust do not affect the bearing points. And since the low-cost bearings contain incorporated solid lubricants, they do not need to be lubricated.

Exterior mirror adjustment: silent and vibration dampening

Some of the few bearing points that are not characterised by high edge loads are located on the side mirrors. Instead, other aspects such as easy installation and absolute freedom from maintenance are in the foreground here.

So that the driver can concentrate fully on the road, the bearings must also not make any noise and, above all, any vibrations.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur J and P

Dampen vibrations and prevent noise: Bearings made of iglidur J and P materials are suitable for adjusting the exterior mirror.

Thanks to dry lubrication, they require no maintenance, are resistant to dirt and media, and are fully operational even at temperatures from -40° to +80°.

Espagnolette lock: Clearance-free door lock

In contrast to many other installation positions in commercial vehicles, plain bearings built into the door lock must work clearance-free.

Additional requirements for the bearing points on the espagnolette lock, on the other hand, are hardly surprising: External environmental conditions require, among other things, freedom from corrosion and high dirt-resistance.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur G/P/P210

Three materials are particularly suitable for the clearance-free, robust and weatherproof implementation of the bearing: iglidur G, iglidur P and iglidur P210.

They all have some common features: no contact corrosion and they work completely lubrication-free and maintenance-free. Another advantage: Their lightweight and low costs.

Door hinges: Smooth movement

As they are located on the exterior of commercial vehicles, doors and side panels are exposed to external influences such as cold, moisture or dirt.

Hinges, in particular their bearings, must also be able to withstand high static loads on a permanent basis.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur G

As an all-round material, iglidur G is suitable, for example, at the pivot points of the doors of commercial vehicles. Its use is recommended precisely because of the good coefficients of friction. However, the durable bearings are also resistant to edge pressure, whereby loads of more than 60N/mm² pose no problem.

They were also developed for use in severe weather conditions in combination with dirt and dust, so that they stand their ground in outdoor use.

Side tarp curtains: Silent and vibration-dampening

Since the forces involved in the movement of side tarpaulin blinds on lorries are particularly low, other factors, such as low coefficients of friction or high media resistance, play a role here when choosing the right plain bearing.

Also important: To enable the smoothest and easiest movement possible when pulling on the tarpaulin, the bearings in the trolleys must be able to move even with low driving forces.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur P210

iglidur P210 is a material that is particularly popular for pivoting and roller applications, as it has an above-average durability here.

A guide roller made of this material achieves good coefficients of friction and wear as well as low moisture absorption in the carriage.

Cab mounting: Strong in hydraulic shock absorbers

The use of oil requires high media resistance of components that are located in the vicinity of hydraulic shock absorbers.

Stronger vibrations also occur in this region, which must be absorbed, for example, by the bearing points.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur H4

Due to their vibration-dampening specifications and high resistance to media such as oil, brake fluids or fuels, iglidur H4 plain bearings are recommended for use in shock absorbers for commercial vehicles.

They are also vibration-dampening and have low static friction.

Tail lift: Safe with high edge loads

Since they must be able to carry freight forwarders and heavy freight without any problems, very robust plain bearings designed for high edge loads must be used here.

Dirt accumulation at the exposed points must be withstood on the tail lift bearing just as much as moisture and wetness.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur P210/Q/Q2

Three materials - iglidur P210, iglidur Q and iglidur Q2 - are exceptionally suitable for the tail lift bearing.

The very high loads on the lifting platform are absorbed by the bearings thanks to extremely high resistance to edge pressure as well as shocks and impacts.

Steering knuckle bearing: Strong in dirt, wear and vibration

One installation point on which almost the entire weight of the lorry rests is the steering knuckles. The choice of the right bearing becomes particularly important here.

High resilience to edge loads, dirt, vibrations and resistance to the impacts of grease and oil is right at the top of the list of requirements.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur P210/Z/Q2

Not surprisingly, materials that are generally poor at absorbing liquids assert themselves at the steering knuckle bearing. Water, oil, fuel or brake fluid therefore do not harm the bearing points.

However, physical resilience to high edge loads and strong vibrations is just as important: The iglidur P210, iglidur Z and iglidur Q2 materials are specially designed for these two requirements and are therefore primarily used on the steering knuckle bearing.

Front spoiler: Corrosion-free and salt-resistant

One of the few places in the lorry where no plain bearings are used for movement is the variable front spoiler. If present, it can be lowered while driving and thus prevent unwanted turbulence acting on the underbody.

This aerodynamic advantage is achieved with lead screws, which must be resistant to spray and salt water as well as to corrosion.

Suitable products: dryspin lead screw nuts and lead screws

For the variable front spoiler, dryspin lead screw nuts made of iglidur J material together with dryspin high helix lead screws are available.

Their advantage is the excellent emergency running properties due to integrated solid lubricants in the iglidur® J plastic nut, which completely eliminate maintenance or lubrication.

Wind deflectors and side wings: High compressive strength

The small but aerodynamically important wind deflectors are primarily exposed to forces from wind and dirt accumulation.

In addition, external weathering effects, such as moisture, are the determining factors that affect the choice of the right bearing technology.

Suitable bearings: iglidur P/P210, igubal rod end bearings

Maintenance-free and lightweight iglidur plain bearings made of P and P210 materials are suitable on the rear wind deflector directly above the driver's cab.

If the lorry also has special side wings at the rear of the tail lift, igubal rod ends are used.

Leaf suspension: Resistant to dirt and cold

Due to the high friction that arises in the region of the leaf springs, the numerous bearing points must also be able to absorb high loads.

Little clearance and low static friction are also desirable here, although the bearings must be able to cope with high edge loads without any problems at the same time.

Suitable bearings: iglidur P210/Q/G, igubal coupling joints

Several bearings and coupling joints are used on the leaf suspension. In particular, plain bearings made of the materials iglidur P210, iglidur Q and iglidur G can be used well at this point due to their high load capacity as well as their resistance to dirt and corrosion.

Coupling joints from the igubal product family withstand the high forces as well as the jerky and rapid movements in the suspension.

Interior and engine compartment

Steering rod bearing: Cost-effective and low-friction

Steering systems must first of all operate lubrication-free, clearance-free and silently. The choice of bearing is therefore of utmost importance here.

In addition, there are shocks and bumps during travel, which in the worst case can have an effect on higher wear of the bearing points.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur J

The optimised friction specifications of the iglidur J bearings make them ideal for use in steering systems, including commercial vehicles.

In addition, shocks and impacts are absorbed very well, as a result of which wear remains very low and has a positive effect on the service life of the bearing points.

Gear shift lever: Light and quiet bearing

In the area of the gear shift, the requirements for the moving elements are quickly obvious: A smooth-running movement and very silent adjustment of the gear shift lever are required here.

At the same time, questions of economy are paramount, e.g. built-in bearings must function without problems and, above all, maintenance-free.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur J

Bearings made of the iglidur J material are recommended for use in the gear shift. Shocks and impacts are absorbed and maintenance is not needed thanks to the solid lubricants incorporated in the material.

Plain bearings made of iglidur J also achieve a long service life thanks to their high wear resistance.

Gearbox: Quiet replacement for metal

In the gearbox, coupling joints must have vibration-dampening specifications as well as high strength due to the vibrations.

At the same time, a high media resistance is required here, as oil and grease can occur more frequently here.

Suitable products: igubal coupling joints

Double joints and coupling joints from the igubal series are perfect replacements for metal bearings. Your advantage: They are less expensive, do not require lubrication and are therefore maintenance-free and also lighter than conventional coupling joints.

Due to their wear resistance and vibration-dampening specifications, they are used, among other things, in the automotive industry, agricultural machinery or plant construction.

Seat adjustment of driver's cab: Rattle-free bearing

Seat adjustments in driver and passenger seats are more diverse than you might initially think: Seat height, backrest, leg rest, headrest, armrest adjustments, etc.

Clip bearings are often used here, which allow tolerance compensation and can withstand high loads.

The suitable bearing material: iglidur M250 MDM

Rattle-free bearing at the joints of seating systems can be achieved using clip bearings made of iglidur M250 MDM material.

The e-coating-compatible bearings can handle high static loads of up to 120MPa.

Headrest: Ergonomic and quiet operation

When talking about linear adjustments in seating systems, it is often a question of adjusting the length of the headrests.

Our own experience has already shown that smooth movement and easy adjustment to the desired height are decisive. Other factors include corrosion-free function and dirt resistance.

The suitable product: drylin W linear plain bearings

Thanks to built-in iglidur liners, drylin W linear plain bearings also benefit from the endurance-runner material. They work maintenance-free without lubrication and allow smooth movement by the user.

Thanks to iglidur's frictional property, the adjustment is virtually silent.

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Bearing technology in lorries

Find the right bearing for every installation position and requirement

Exterior and chassis

Driver's cab tipping device

Tipper/Telescopic cylinder

Exterior mirror adjustment

Loading space espagnolette lock

Hinges on doors and side walls

Side tarp curtains

Shock absorption of driver's cab

Tail lift

Steering knuckle

Front spoiler

Wind deflector

Side wings for aerodynamics

Leaf suspension

Interior and engine compartment

Steering linkage

Gear lever

Gearbox

Seat adjustment driver's cab

Headrest

Exterior and chassis

Tipping mechanism for safe tilting of cab

The suitable bearing material: iglidur P210

Bearing in tipper: Extremely durable and robust

The suitable bearing material: iglidur G

Exterior mirror adjustment: silent and vibration dampening

The suitable bearing material: iglidur J and P

Espagnolette lock: Clearance-free door lock

The suitable bearing material: iglidur G/P/P210

Door hinges: Smooth movement

The suitable bearing material: iglidur G

Side tarp curtains: Silent and vibration-dampening

The suitable bearing material: iglidur P210

Cab mounting: Strong in hydraulic shock absorbers

The suitable bearing material: iglidur H4

Tail lift: Safe with high edge loads

The suitable bearing material: iglidur P210/Q/Q2

Steering knuckle bearing: Strong in dirt, wear and vibration

The suitable bearing material: iglidur P210/Z/Q2

Front spoiler: Corrosion-free and salt-resistant

Suitable products: dryspin lead screw nuts and lead screws

Wind deflectors and side wings: High compressive strength

Suitable bearings: iglidur P/P210, igubal rod end bearings

Leaf suspension: Resistant to dirt and cold

Suitable bearings: iglidur P210/Q/G, igubal coupling joints

Interior and engine compartment

Steering rod bearing: Cost-effective and low-friction

The suitable bearing material: iglidur J

Gear shift lever: Light and quiet bearing

The suitable bearing material: iglidur J

Gearbox: Quiet replacement for metal

Suitable products: igubal coupling joints

Seat adjustment of driver's cab: Rattle-free bearing

The suitable bearing material: iglidur M250 MDM

Headrest: Ergonomic and quiet operation

The suitable product: drylin W linear plain bearings

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