ASTM D3527-95

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: D 3527 – 95
Standard Test Method for
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.
e NOTE—Equation 1 was corrected editorially and the designation date changed effective April 10, 1995.
1. Scope 3.1.1.1 Discussion—The dispersion of the thickener forms a
two-phase system and immobilizes the liquid lubricant by
1.1 This test method covers a laboratory procedure for
surface tension and other physical forces. Other ingredients are
evaluating the high-temperature life performance of wheel
commonly included to impart special properties.
bearing greases when tested under prescribed conditions.
3.1.2 lubricant, n—any material interposed between two
NOTE 1—Changes to this test method in the 1985 revision increased test
surfaces that reduces the friction or wear between them.
severity. Results will not be comparable with data from earlier procedures.
3.1.3 thickener, n—in lubricating grease, a substance com-
1.2 The values stated in SI units, except apparatus dimen-
posed of finely-divided particles dispersed in a liquid lubricant
sions, are to be regarded as the standard. Apparatus dimensions
to form the product’s structure.
in inches are to be regarded as the standard.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—The solid thickener can be fibers (such
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
as various metallic soaps) or plates or spheres (such as certain
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
non-soap thickeners) which are insoluble or, at the most, only
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
very slightly soluble in the liquid lubricant. The general
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
requirements are that the solid particles be extremely small,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
uniformly dispersed, and capable of forming a relatively stable,
statements, see Notes 2-5.
gel-like structure with the liquid lubricant.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.1 automotive wheel bearing grease, n— a lubricating
2.1 ASTM Standards:
grease specifically formulated to lubricate automotive wheel
D 235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits)
bearings at relatively high grease temperatures and bearing
(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvents)
speeds.
D 770 Specification for Isopropyl Alcohol
3.2.2 grease life, n— of wheel bearing grease, amount of
D 1310 Test Method for Flash Point and Fire Point of
time operated under prescribed conditions of load, speed, and
Liquids by Tag Open-Cup Apparatus
temperature until preset torque limit is exceeded.
2.2 Other Standard:
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The off-time, which is part of the 20 h
AFBMA Standard 19, 1974 (ANSI B. 3.19-1975)
and4hoff-cycle, is not recorded and is not included as part of
grease life.
3. Terminology
4. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 lubricating grease, n—a semi-fluid to solid product of
4.1 The test grease is distributed in the bearings of a
a dispersion of a thickener in a liquid lubricant.
modified, automobile front wheel hub-spindle-bearings assem-
bly. While the bearings are thrust-loaded to 111 N, the hub is
rotated at 1000 rpm and the spindle temperature maintained at
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
160°C for 20 h,4hoff operating cycle. The test is terminated
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
when grease deterioration causes the drive motor torque to
D02.G on Lubricating Grease.
Current edition approved April 10, 1995. Published June 1995. Originally
exceed a calculated motor cut off value. Grease life is ex-
published as D 3527 – 76. Last previous edition D 3527 – 94.
pressed as the accumulated on-cycle hours.
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.04.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
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.
D3527–95
5. Significance and Use 8. Reagents and Materials
8.1 Reagent or ASTM Grade n-Heptane (see Test Method
5.1 This test method differentiates among wheel bearing
D 1310) (Warning—See Note 2).
greases having distinctly different high-temperature character-
istics. It is not the equivalent of long-time service tests, nor is
NOTE 2—Warning: Flammable. Harmful if inhaled.
it intended to distinguish between the products having similar
8.2 Isopropyl Alcohol 99 % (Specification D 770) (
high-temperature performance properties.
Warning—See Note 3).
5.2 This test method has proven to be helpful in screening
greases with respect to life performance for automotive wheel NOTE 3—Warning: Flammable.
bearing applications.
8.3 Penetone— ECS (Warning—See Note 4).
NOTE 4—Warning: Combustible. Vapors can be harmful.
6. Apparatus
8.4 Stoddard Solvent (see Specification D 235) (
6.1 Test Assembly (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
Warning—See Note 5).
6.1.1 Custom-made Wheel Hub-Spindle-Bearing Assembly
(Fig. 3).
NOTE 5—Warning: Combustible. Vapors may be harmful.
6.1.2 Oven, electrically heated by 1800 watt heater, thermo-
8.5 SAE 10W Engine Oil.
statically controlled to maintain spindle temperature at 160 6
8.6 00 Grade Steel Wool.
1.5°C.
6.1.3 Spindle Drive Motor, ⁄4 hp, 120 volts dc with 1725
9. Preparation of Bearings
rpm speed control the hub; motor torque is indicated by a meter
9.1 Carefully remove new bearings (cups and cones) from
equipped with an adjustable, automatic cut-off.
their packages and place in a 250-mL beaker. Wash with
6.1.4 Fan Drive Motor, ⁄30 hp, 120 v dc, 1550 rpm.
n-Heptane to remove all rust preventative.
6.2 Motor speed, oven temperature, spindle temperature,
9.2 Repeat washing with n-Heptane two additional times to
time cycles and torque are controlled or monitored, or both, by
be certain all rust preventative has been removed. Use a clean
accessory equipment.
beaker each time.
6.3 Balance having a minimum capacity of 100 g and
9.3 Drain n-Heptane from the bearings and set them on a
minimum sensitivity of 0.1 g.
clean, lint-free cloth to air dry.
NOTE 6—Cleaning may be facilitated by the use of a sonic cleaner.
7. Test Bearings
10. Procedure
7.1 Use LM67048-LM67010 and LM11949-LM11910
(AFBMA Standard 19) inboard and outboard bearings respec-
10.1 Prior to each test, check the freedom of movement of
tively.
the thrust loading shaft (Fig. 3) in the spindle. If binding is
noted, remove and clean both shaft and spindle bore.
5 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.03.
Available from Koehler Instrument Co., Inc., 1595 Sycamore Ave., Bohemia,
Available from Penetone Corp., 74 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ 07670.
Long Island, NY 11716.
Timken or Bower bearings are suitable.
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.
D3527–95
FIG. 2 Wheel Bearing Lubricant Tester (Top View)
FIG. 3 Spindle and Thrust Rod Components
10.2 Install the new cups in the cleaned hub in the location 2.0 6 0.1 g by wiping or adding grease to the groove between
shown in Figs. 1 and 2. the cage and the cone back face. Apply a thin film of grease on
10.3 Weigh an inboard and outboard bearing cone to the the cups.
nearest 0.1 g. Fill the cones with test grease using an extra set 10.4 Install the leakage collector, inboard cone, hub, and
of cups and the grease packer shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Use care outboard cone on the spindle (Fig. 2). Lock the components in
to avoid moving the rollers or bearing components while place with the end cap and screw. Install the spindle connector.
removing the cones from the cups and in all subsequent wiping 10.5 Referring to Fig. 3, adjust the thrust load as follows:
and handling steps.
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