A spanner bushing acts as an adapter to reduce a wheel's bore size, creating a snug fit on an axle. This ensures the wheel remains securely centered and minimizes wobble during operation.
Essentially, spanner bushings serve as a crucial interface between a wheel and an axle, optimizing the wheel's performance and lifespan. They accomplish this by:
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Reducing Bore Size: The primary function is to adapt a wheel with a larger inner diameter (bore) to fit a smaller diameter axle. This prevents the wheel from rattling or moving excessively on the axle.
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Ensuring Secure Centering: By providing a precise fit, the spanner bushing centers the wheel on the axle. This centering is critical for smooth and efficient rotation, especially in applications requiring high precision.
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Minimizing Wobble: A correctly sized and installed spanner bushing eliminates or drastically reduces wheel wobble. Wobble can lead to uneven wear, decreased performance, and potential damage to the wheel, axle, or surrounding components.
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Adapting to Different Axle Sizes: They allow a single wheel design to be used with various axle sizes, increasing versatility and reducing manufacturing costs.
Example Applications:
Spanner bushings are commonly used in:
- Skateboards
- Scooters
- Roller skates
- Industrial machinery
- Carts and wagons
In these applications, a precise fit is crucial for safety, performance, and longevity of the equipment. Choosing the correct spanner bushing size and material is essential to achieve the desired results.
