SKF Designs a New Wheel Hub Bearing with Integrated Sensor for '05 Ford Brake System that Increases Serviceability and Performance

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Jan. 19, 2005 -- SKF today announced it has designed a new wheel hub bearing unit with an integrated sensor for brake systems on the 2005 model-year Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis.

The sensor design eliminates leak paths into the bearing to improve durability and minimize potential handling damage that can occur during sensor servicing. Production of the bearing unit began in December 2004.

Another significant feature of the new wheel hub bearing unit is a detachable cable that connects to the braking system that can be serviced separately, if needed. "With traditional designs, the cable and sensor were one-piece systems, making servicing of the cable, sensor or bearing separately a challenge," said Gregg Rasmussen, vice president, SKF Car Business - North America.

To further improve bearing performance and serviceability, SKF uses a corrosion-protective paste that's applied to the flange face, the surface between the hub bearing and brake rotor, that minimizes rust and run-out, improving overall performance. In addition, a protective, plated sleeve is inserted between the steel bearing and aluminum knuckle to help prevent galvanic corrosion, which makes servicing the bearing much easier.

"The focus today is to design even longer-life and higher quality components and systems for automakers," says Rasmussen. "In this case, we worked collaboratively with Ford to optimize the engineering of the wheel hub bearing assembly and to maximize the product's service life and reliability consistent with these design objectives."

This bearing solution is part of SKF's new global breed of performance engineered hub bearings that employ new designs and advanced processing techniques to maximize high performance, handling and comfort characteristics. The manufacturing of these hub units was moved from SKF's Airasca, Italy, facility to the company's Glasgow, KY, plant, to localize the key supply base for domestic automakers. It's one of two SKF facilities that produce hub units in North America, the other being in Aiken, SC. The hub units are shipped from Glasgow to the Tier One supplier, who assembles them into sub- modules that are then sent to Ford's Wixom, Mich., and St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, facilities.

About SKF

Founded in Sweden in 1907, SKF is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, with technology centers in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. SKF has a long history of innovation, including the development of the first integrated wheel hub bearing in 1938 (1938 Citroen 15 CV), and the first full by-wire controlled concept car, the Filo, jointly launched with Stile Bertone in February 2001. Today, SKF manufactures bearings, Chicago Rawhide seals, and value-added subassemblies for corners and steering, driveline and engine systems for both cars and trucks. The company also offers by-wire SMART actuators and sensors, plus a variety of design, testing and consulting services. SKF employs approximately 40,000 worldwide, has annual sales of over six billion dollars, and sells its products in more than 150 countries. More information is available at http://www.skf.com/ .