What You May Not Know about Wheel Hubs

What are Wheel Hubs?

When you think about the most important parts of a truck, chances are you'll consider the engine, the transmission, and other large parts. But a key player and undercelebrated hero of truck performance also lies literally where the rubber meets the road – the wheel hubs.

Although a truck's engine and transmission are essential for it to move, it's not going anywhere without the wheels. A wheel hub's job is to connect the wheel to the rest of the vehicle body. Hubs work hard to make sure your truck not only moves where you need it to, when you need it to but they are also responsible for the smoothness of your journey. If you've ever experienced the noise or feeling of your truck with a wheel hub that's gone bad, then you understand just how important it is to find ones that last, like conventional hub assemblies and PreSet hub assemblies from Consolidated Metco.

How Wheel Hubs Work

So, what do ConMet wheel hubs do? Wheel hubs are located between the axles and the brake drums, in the very center of the wheels. Sometimes referred to as a WHA, or wheel hub assembly, this crucial part that looks like a metal donut is comprised of some smaller parts:

• Inner and outer bearings. Located both inside and outside of a wheel hub, bearings are packed with grease to maintain proper wheel spin.


• Wheel seal. Seals are important to keep dirt, grime, and other environmental debris away from the wheel.


• Studs or bolts. Depending on the type and brand of the wheel hub, either studs or bolts may come with the assembly to guide and mount the tires during installation.


• Nuts. Tiny but mighty, nuts help secure the wheel hub to the rest of the vehicle for a proper fit and smooth driving.

Conventional and PreSet hub assemblies from Consolidated Metco are built tough from aluminum or iron and are machined to precision, but like any truck part, they, unfortunately, don't last forever.

What Causes Wheel Hubs to Go Bad

While wheel hubs may work behind the scenes (or underneath them), the signs that your wheel hub may need replacing are usually pretty clear. A bad wheel hub can make itself known with:

• Grinding. This or a rubbing sound is often the most obvious sign that something is amiss with either your entire hub assembly or the bearings.


• Humming. A humming noise coming from the wheels may also be an indication that your wheel hub needs your attention.


• Your ABS light coming on. The Anti-Lock Braking System, another key feature located in the wheels, monitors the overall functionality of the wheels and may be triggered when your wheel hub needs to be replaced.

That first time you turn down the radio and hear a noise coming from your wheels, it's never comforting. But the good news is, wheel hubs can be replaced. Conventional and PreSet hub assemblies from ConMet offer the latest in wheel technology and are made to fit most makes and models.

Can Wheel Hubs Be Rebuilt

One of the most popular questions about wheel hubs is, "Are wheel hubs interchangeable?" Wheel hubs need to be a secure fit for your truck, so it's understandable to want the exact same wheel hub that you've had on your truck since day one because you know it fits.

Whether you already have a ConMet wheel hub assembly on your truck or are looking to switch to a brand that offers optimal performance, longevity and the latest wheel innovations and design, conventional and PreSet hub assemblies from Consolidated Metco can help keep your rubber on the road so you can focus on your business, not your wheels.

Wheel Hubs Made Easy by ConMet

What you may not know about wheel hubs is that they aren't all created equally. There isn't just one kind of wheel hub, and understanding the difference between conventional wheel hubs and ConMet PreSet wheel hubs can make the difference in getting you back on the road stronger and longer.

Since 1964, ConMet, or Consolidated Metco, has been a trusted global leader in wheel hub assemblies, structural plastic, and aluminum castings for commercial vehicles. Each ConMet wheel hub is precision-machined, cast from the strongest materials in the industry, and tested for performance and service life.

Conventional vs PreSet Wheel Hubs

There are a lot of wheel hubs to choose from on the market, but trusting in ConMet conventional or PreSet wheel hubs means investing in the latest wheel hub developments for your truck or fleet. Though they're both designed to meet and exceed industry standards, conventional and PreSet hub assemblies have a few important differences:

• Conventional wheel hubs. Offering the same quality and performance that ConMet products are known for, conventional wheel hubs are available to fully replace damaged hubs or if you're just ready to upgrade the hubs for your truck. But as all conventional assemblies are calibrated by hand, this type of hub leaves room for miscalculations and a loose fit. It also requires a lot of separate, smaller components to be installed by hand, which can add to your downtime and labor costs.


• PreSet and PreSet Plus Hub Assemblies. The latest innovation in wheel hubs from ConMet, PreSet and PreSet Plus hub assemblies are completely manufactured and quality controlled at ConMet factories. These patented hubs offer easy installation – simply slide the pre-assembled and self-piloted hub onto the spindle, torque the retaining nut, and add lubricant.

Key Points about Wheel Hubs

There's a lot to learn about this seemingly small part of your truck assembly:

• Wheel hubs are located between the brakes and the axle and make sure the wheel is spinning smoothly and secured tightly to the rest of the vehicle.


• When a wheel hub needs attention, you may hear a grinding, rubbing, or humming sound coming from the wheels, or your ABS light may signal on your dash.


• It is possible to replace wheel hubs with either conventional or PreSet wheel hub assemblies from Consolidated Metco, but PreSet hub assemblies offer easier installation and maintenance.

Where to Buy ConMet Wheel Hubs

If you're ready to outfit your truck or fleet with the latest wheel hubs the industry has to offer, contact us today to speak to one of our highly-trained parts representatives or shop our online store to get your ConMet wheel hub assembly. To learn more about PreSet hub assemblies and how this innovative part could save you both time and money, browse our online catalog to find the attributes that matter to you or give us a call. We look forward to helping you get back on the road with the best parts the commercial vehicle industry has to offer!