A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus which improves the surface run-out of
the wheel mounting flange to limit the generation of brake judder and
also to increase the strength of the flange has a double row rolling
bearing to rotatably support a wheel relative to a body of a vehicle.
Double row rolling elements are between an inner member and an outer
member. The inner member includes a wheel mounting flange, to secure the
wheel via a brake rotor, and a cylindrical brake pilot portion, which
extends from the wheel mounting flange to support the brake rotor. A
plurality of hub bolts is press-fit into the wheel mounting flange along
its circumference. The wheel mounting flange includes an annular recess
portion recessed from the side surface of an outboard side at a base of
the wheel mounting flange. The annular recess portion includes a corner
region crossing the brake pilot portion which is formed with a
predetermined hardened layer by high frequency induction quenching. The
side surface is cut after the hub bolts are press fit into the wheel
mounting flange.