SKF has been awarded a contract to provide a lightweight hubcap system to enhance the Dana Spicer Low Maintenance System (LMS) wheel-end for heavy-duty axle wheel-end applications. The hubcap system was developed in conjunction with Dana Corp's Commercial Vehicle Systems group and will be available for use on Dana Spicer steer axles and trailer axles for several major North American truck and trailer manufacturers.
The new lightweight Dana Spicer LMS hubcap combines a multiple labyrinth design and high-strength polymer material to provide improved venting performance and strength, thus preventing wheel-end contamination. This weight-optimized, hybrid-design efficiently vents the wheel-end without using a continuously open port or filter membrane that could become clogged. The hubcap design also includes a magnetized side-fill plug that captures metallic particles to provide more protection to the wheel-end bearings and seals, as well as reduce product life-cycle costs.