Does your automobile have the right parts equipped? What if your automobile has the wrong spares installed, and every time you need to write off part of your inventory? Overall, your automobile cannot work without spare parts.
This guide is dedicated to providing details about the most underrated spare parts, i.e., bearing and lighting parts. Ball bearings and bearing assemblies, along with lights, seem small, but their impact is massive.
Let's discover how?…
Use of Bearings in the Automobile Industry
The primary function of bearings is to prevent metal-to-metal contact between two elements in motion. As a result, it prevents friction, heat generation, and wear and tear of parts.
Vehicles with low-quality bearings suffer from reduced fuel efficiency, increased noise, and a greater chance of mechanical failure. The most common types of bearings used in an automobile are ball bearings, roller bearings, needle bearings, thrust bearings, spherical bearings, plain bearings/bushings, and angular contact bearings.
Common applications of bearings are listed below:
- Allow smooth and quiet wheel rotation.
- Ensures the frictionless operation of rotating parts.
- Helps with steering mechanics to ensure stability in vehicle handling.
Use of Automotive Lights And Lighting
Automotive lighting plays a crucial role in providing lights around the outer perimeter of a vehicle. Beyond just seeing around, exterior lighting in an automobile is required by law. Plus, there are rigid regulations for the same.
Moreover, it is also described as a piece of jewelry for a car, as it is not just a technical element but also a design highlight.
Therefore, modern automotive lights and lighting parts are smarter and more energy-efficient as they have built-in LED technology and adaptive lighting.
Some key lighting components are:
- Headlight: Illuminates the road.
- Tail Lights and Brake Lights: Let other drivers know what you're going to do.
- Turn Signals and Indicators: Help drivers change lanes and make turns safely.
- Interior Cabin Lights: Better passenger comfort.
How to Ensure Spare Part Management for Maintenance?
Most spare parts have limited shelf life, but can be exceeded with the right approach. For example, in case you have large motors, then the shafts should be rotated on a regular basis. This is suggested to prevent flat spots from developing on the bearings.
Despite this, follow these basic rules of thumb for better maintenance:
- Do not put rubber products out or in direct sunlight often, as they will lose their elasticity in the near future.
- Avoid hanging belts on a peg or nail. Instead of doing that, lie down.
- Maintain detailed records to avoid shortages.
- Replace the bearing after every 5–8 years, as it leads to the lubricant drying out.
- To avoid contamination, store the spare parts in their original packaging.
Final Words
In automotive engineering, even a little thing plays an important role in its proper working. As we've discussed in this guide, bearings ensure smooth, efficient motion, while lighting protects you and everyone else on the road.
Lack of care for these components can lead to costly repairs, safety hazards, and downtime. However, up keeping spare parts as stated above and investing in the right products are essential.