SKF, a long-standing partner of Ferrari in the development of bearings and seals for both its road and racing vehicles, is producing high performance hub bearing units for the new Ferrari F430 and Superamerica Convertible.

These hub bearing units help improve vehicle handling through increased hub stiffness that supports the high forces produced during cornering for these Ferrari vehicles.

Key features of the all-steel hub bearing units include:

• A flanged outer ring for faster assembly and a stiffer knuckle connection providing dynamic handling and steering precision.

• A flanged inner ring for faster assembly and a stiffer disc and wheel rim interface.

• An active ABS sensor that can sense and adjust with wheel rotation and is particularly effective for the vehicle’s electric parking brake.

• Thin section bearing rings optimize the package dimensions.

• High stiffness and longer bearing life through optimized ball selection.

• Enhanced oxidation protection through the use of a special coating on exposed surfaces.

These high performance hub bearing units have been validated and proven by SKF to meet Ferrari’s stringent performance requirements, through both bench and road testing, which included running on Ferrari’s own test track.

More than fifty years ago SKF first joined forces with the legendary Scuderia Ferrari, when they burst onto the Formula One scene, thus creating what is now the longest technical supplier relationship in the sport of Formula One.
 

The Scuderia Ferrari F1 machines contain more than one hundred and fifty bearings and seals designed and manufactured exclusively by SKF.

About SKF

Founded in Sweden in 1907, SKF has its headquarters in the City of Gothenburg, and boasts technology centers in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. SKF has a long history of innovation, including the development of the first integrated wheel hub bearing in 1938, fitted to the Citroën 15 CV that year, and the first full by-wire controlled concept car, the Filo, jointly launched with Stile Bertone in February of 2001.

Today’s products include SKF bearings, Chicago Rawhide seals and value-added subassemblies for corner and steering, driveline, engine and lubrication systems for both cars and trucks. The company also offers by-wire SMART actuators and sensors, plus a variety of design, testing and consulting services.

The SKF Group is the leading global supplier of products, customer solutions, and services in the business of rolling bearings and seals. The Group's main competencies include technical support, maintenance services, condition monitoring and training. SKF also holds an increasingly important position in the market for linear motion products, as well as high precision bearings, spindles and spindle services for the machine tool industry, and is an established producer of bearing steel.

SKF employs approximately 40,000 staff worldwide, has annual sales of over six billion dollars, and sells its products in more than 150 countries.