Replacing wheel hub assemblies can be a bit of a balancing act for service technicians. Wheel hub units are safety-critical components, so quality and design integrity are essential characteristics. At the same time, technicians want to perform proper repairs in the most economical fashion for their customers. The key is finding a supplier that can deliver value without sacrificing quality and service.
A lot of value-line suppliers simply resell the most cheaply made wheel hub assemblies that they can find. While their prices might be lower than anybody else’s, their products usually are inferior to OE-quality hub bearing in terms of steel, grease, sealing capabilities and overall design tolerances. Experience has shown that these low-performing, value-grade hubs are no value in the long run, as their lifespan can be up to 40 percent shorter than other hub units.
In addition, the seals on a value-grade hub can allow moisture and contaminants to enter and destroy the bearing prematurely. These low-cost hubs also can produce wheel vibrations and noise, and can cause anti-lock braking systems to malfunction. In extreme cases, low-quality hubs even can result in the wheel coming off while the vehicle is in motion.
Not all value-line suppliers are alike, though. When searching for a replacement wheel hub assembly – or any safety-critical component, for that matter – it’s important to look for a supplier that stands by the integrity of its product. Value is about more than an attractive price point. The top value-line suppliers have stringent quality-control systems in place, and they back up their products with responsive customer support and claims handling.
For more than 25 years, Cleveland-based Precision has been manufacturing high-quality hub assemblies for the automotive aftermarket. Unlike many value-grade suppliers, the company has a staff of engineers who design, validate and test Precision products to ensure that customers are getting the highest-quality parts possible. Additionally, Precision provides the kind of customer service that you might expect from a premium line, whether it’s in response to a technical question or a product suggestion.
Precision offers full line coverage, with a focus on first-to-market product development and customized lines to meet customers’ needs. As the largest U.S. -based manufacturer of wheel hub assemblies for the automotive aftermarket, Precision proves that you don’t have to sacrifice quality and service for a good value.
This article is brought to you by Precision. For more information, please visit our website at www.prec-auto.com