NEWS CENTER

Causes of bearing failures

2017-07-07

A bearing, like any other part, despite its rugged construction and durability in operation, has a tendency to break down. Premature bearing failure can occur for a variety of reasons. Thus, the main causes may be:

Improper installation of the bearing, namely, over-clamping of the shrinking cone coupling during rough installation,

Improper adjustment as well as geometrical defects which lead to backlash and overheating;

Bearing impurities, solid or liquid foreign particles penetrating into the bearing damage the sealing system and can cause grease leakage;

Poor lubricant quality;

Use of bearing under unacceptable loads;

Electric current flowing through the bearing.

Faults which cannot be repaired

Generally, a defective bearing should be replaced for the causes of failure described above, especially if the following fatal defects are evident on external inspection:

Chips or cracks in the rings, rolling elements, or cage;

Balls or dents in the raceway surface of the outer or inner ring;

Knocking or excessive noise in the bearing, even after it has been flushed;

Deep scratches on the raceways of the rings transverse to the movement of the rolling elements;

Clear rolling element prints on the raceways of the rings;

Chipping or flaking of the ring raceway surface;

Damaged bearing seating surfaces.

In all other cases, bearing replacement can be postponed and the faults can be repaired. But first, a diagnosis of the defective part must be performed.