Verfahren zur Befestigung einer Lagerung einer Radnabe in ein Lagerhäuse einer Radaufhängung eines Fahrzeugs

There is disclosed a method of mounting a wheel hub bearing assembly to the knuckle (10) of a vehicle suspension standard by forcefully inserting the outer race (20) of the bearing in a bore (11) in the knuckle (10). The bore has a groove (15) near its axially outer side to accommodate a snap ring (14) for axially securing the bearing's outer race (20) within the bore (11). Angularly spaced radial slots (24) are provided in the axially outer rim of the knuckle (10); a hub bearing unit is assembled separately. The snap ring (14, 14') is fitted over the hub at an axial location between the axially outer end portion (23) of the bearing outer race (20) and a portion (34) of the hub (16) facing said end portion (23); at least one axially tapered sliding surface (33, 34, 23) is provided between said facing portions (23, 34). The snap ring is radially compressed on the tapered sliding surface to the radial dimension of the knuckle bore, whereby the tapered sliding surface cooperates such that the radial compression of the snap ring sets an axial preloading to the axially inner set of rolling elements (22a). Finally, the hub is pressed to fit the bearing in the knuckle bore and the snap ring into the knuckle groove.