Sacrificial Shield for the Wheel Hub Bearing Flange to Maintain Low Brake Rotor Lateral Runout

Corrosion is one of the main issues causing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in the wheel-end brake system. This paper describes the development of a sacrificial shield, mounted between the hub bearing unit (HBU) flange and the brake rotor, in order to avoid the forming of corrosion. The zinc (Zn) coated layers on the sheet metal shield provide a chemical defensive mechanism as it takes steel's place in the corrosion reaction. Consequently RED rust will not start forming until all the Zn has been converted to WHITE rust. The duration of the conversion period is the temporary corrosion protection period for the HBU and rotor flanges and can maintain the delivered brake rotor Lateral Run Out (LRO) up to the first scheduled service for the rotor. If each time the Sacrificial Shield is replaced when brake rotor service takes place, the proper functioning and service life of the brake system will be prolonged.