Bearings are small circular car parts that move over each other and facilitate movement between two components by significantly reducing friction. Bearings can either be linear or rotational, depending on what type of motion they’re designed for.

What are bushings?

Bushings serve as cushions for various intricate parts in your vehicle. These small components can decrease wear, lessen noise, reduce vibrations, and many more. If used as a valve application, for instance, bushings are placed in the valve cover to prevent leakage.

What materials are used for making bearings?

It depends on what the bearing is used for. Roller bearings, for instance, are made from stainless steel as they’re used for heavy radial loads. They can be made from heavy-duty steel and similar durable materials for bigger applications.

What materials are used for making bushings?

Similar to bearings, bushings are made of different materials according to their application. They are typically made of rubber, nylon, soft metals, or non-metallic polymers. Plastic bearings are the most popular since they are affordable, have low friction, and don’t need a lot of maintenance. Also, since they carry no corrosive risks, they can be used in wet environments.

What are the different types of bearings?

There are different bearings out there. Ball bearings support rotating shafts. They are divided into two: deep groove ball bears and angular contact ball bearings. The former is used for high radial loads, while the latter can handle heavy radial loads and axial loads.