Introduction of Hydraulic Release Bearing

Hydraulic release bearing is a special bearing used in motorbike engines and vehicle transmissions. It controls the position of the clutch disc and the contact force with the flywheel by means of hydraulic pressure, thus realising the separation and merging of the clutch. The structure of hydraulic release bearing is relatively simple, mainly composed of clutch disc, thin iron plate and hydraulic chamber. This design makes the hydraulic release bearing more precise and smooth in controlling the clutch release and merging process.

Hydraulic release bearings are widely used in the transmission system of automobile, engineering machinery, wind power generation and other industries.

Causes and conditions of hydraulic release bearing oil leakage

Hydraulic separation bearings do not contain oil, but use hydraulic pressure to work, so in the strict sense, it will not appear in the traditional sense of the ‘oil leakage’ phenomenon. However, in practice, may encounter with the hydraulic separation bearing related to the oil leakage problem, which is usually related to the following factors:

1. Deteriorated or broken seals:

Sealing elements such as rubber seals are present in hydraulic systems, particularly within gearboxes. These seals may age, harden or even break under the influence of temperature and alternating temperatures over a long period of time. When seals fail, this can lead to a reduction in the sealing performance of the hydraulic system, which in turn can lead to oil leakage. Although this is directly related to the sealing of the hydraulic system, it may also indirectly affect the normal operation of the hydraulic release bearing.

2. Clutch sub-pump failure:

The clutch sub-pump is one of the key components in the hydraulic release bearing system. If the clutch sub-pump's piston, leather ring and other parts are seriously worn or damaged, it may lead to the clutch oil can not be effectively sealed, thus causing oil leakage. This situation, although not directly manifested as hydraulic release bearing oil leakage, will affect the normal operation of the entire hydraulic system, including the performance of the hydraulic release bearing.

3. Oil seal failure:

In some cases, if the hydraulic separation bearing around or associated with the oil seal failure, may also lead to oil leakage. The main function of the oil seal is to prevent the lubricant or hydraulic oil from leaking, when the oil seal is damaged, its sealing performance will be greatly reduced, which will lead to oil leakage problems.

4. oil circuit design defects: the oil circuit design is unreasonable, resulting in unstable oil pressure, so that the seals are subjected to uneven pressure, which can easily lead to oil leakage.

5. Bearing quality problems: bearing material or processing technology is poor, resulting in defects in the bearing internal oil circuit or oil holes, resulting in oil leakage.

6. Improper use: overloaded use, oil contamination or oil temperature is too high, will accelerate the wear of seals, resulting in oil leakage.

7. improper maintenance: not in accordance with the provisions of the regular inspection and replacement of seals, resulting in a decline in sealing performance.

 Hydraulic separation bearing oil leakage

8. Oil leakage: Hydraulic oil slowly seeps out from the bearing seals, which may not be easily detected at the initial stage.

To summarise

Hydraulic release bearings do not inherently contain oil and therefore do not leak in the traditional sense. However, in practice, oil leakage problems may be encountered in relation to hydraulic release bearings, which are usually associated with factors such as deteriorating seals in the hydraulic system, faulty clutch sub-pumps or failed oil seals. In order to avoid these problems, owners are advised to regularly check the sealing performance of the hydraulic system and the wear and tear of the relevant parts, and to replace aged or damaged parts in a timely manner. At the same time, attention should be paid to keeping the hydraulic system clean and running stably during use to prolong its service life and reduce the possibility of failure. 

In order to prevent oil leakage, bearings of qualified quality should be selected, the oil circuit should be reasonably designed, and the maintenance during use should be strengthened to ensure that the seals work properly. At the same time, the seals should be checked and replaced regularly to prevent oil contamination and ensure the normal operation of the hydraulic separation bearing.