How to troubleshoot a bearing - The ACORN Bearing Compendium: Part 7
If you have a suspicion that your bearing is damaged or not running to its full efficiency, you might be wondering how to troubleshoot a bearing. Checking for damage to bearings is not always easy, but there are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot your bearing to establish whether it needs to be maintained or replaced.
In this article, we'll explain how to troubleshoot a bearing, helping to proactively detect problems with your bearings and keeping your machinery running at full efficiency.
How Do You Know If A Bearing Is Damaged?
There are a few signs you can look for when you're identifying bearing damage. These include:
- Excessive noise
- Vibrations
- Visible damage
- Build up of grease or dirt
- Damaged seal
If you notice any of these signs, it's time to take action to prevent catastrophic failure. Let's take a look at each of these symptoms of bearing damage in more detail.
Excessive Noise
One of the most common indicators that a bearing is damaged or nearing the end of its life is excessive noise. You might notice a humming, grinding, or growling noise coming from the area where the bearing is located. If you hear any of these noises, it's important to shut down the machinery immediately and investigate the source of the noise.
Excessive bearing noise can be caused by misalignment, poor lubrication, overloading or damage to the bearing.
Vibration
Another common symptom of bearing damage is excessive vibration. If you notice that your machinery is vibrating more than usual, it's important to shut it down and check the bearings. Excessive vibration can be caused by a number of factors, including misalignment, imbalanced loads, or damage to the bearings.
Visible Damage
In some cases, you might be able to see visible damage to the bearings. This could include chipped or cracked races, damaged balls, or excessive wear. If you can see visible damage to the bearings, it's important to replace them as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the machinery.
Build Up Of Grease Or Dirt
If you notice a build-up of grease or dirt on the bearings, it's important to clean them as soon as possible. A build-up of grease or dirt can cause the bearings to overheat, which can lead to bearing damage and eventually failure.
Damaged Seal
The seal is an important component of any bearing, helping to keep the dirt out and the grease in. If the seal on the bearings is damaged, it can allow dirt and debris to enter the bearings, causing damage. A damaged seal can also allow lubricant to escape, leading to excessive wear within the bearing.
What Causes Bearing Damage?
There are a number of factors that can cause bearing damage. These include:
- Misalignment
- Poor lubrication
- Overloading
- Shock loading
- Contamination
Let's take a look at each of these factors in more detail.
Misalignment
One of the most common causes of bearing damage is misalignment. When the bearings are misaligned, they experience excessive loads that can cause damage. Misalignment can be caused by a number of factors, including incorrect installation, machinery wear, or thermal expansion.
Poor Lubrication
Another common cause of bearing damage is poor lubrication. If the bearings are not properly lubricated, they will overheat and experience excessive wear. This can lead to damage to the bearings and, in some cases, catastrophic failure.
Overloading
Overloading is another common cause of bearing damage. When the bearings are overloaded, they will experience excessive wear and tear. Overloading is often caused by the incorrect bearing being specified during the design stage, or changes being made to the application without a bearing reassessment being completed.
Shock Loading
Shock loading is another common cause of bearing damage. When the bearings are shock loaded, they will experience a sudden impact that can cause damage to both the bearing and surrounding machine components. Whilst some bearings are tolerant of moderate shock loads, others cannot handle any shock loading, so it's essential to ensure that you choose the right bearing for your operating conditions.
Contamination
Contamination is another common cause of bearing damage. When the bearings are contaminated, they will experience excessive wear and tear. There are three key stages where contamination can be introduced into the bearing:
- During installation
- During lubrication
- During operation
It's essential that you ensure that the bearing is stored correctly prior to installation to minimise the risk of contamination. During lubrication, you'll need to ensure that the lubricant has been stored correctly and grease guns and other lubrication equipment are properly cleaned between uses.
It can be difficult to keep contamination to a minimum during operating when you're working in an industry such as mining or agriculture. Ensuring that you use the right seal for your application can help to minimise the risk of contamination entering the bearing, extending its service life.
How To Prevent Bearing Damage
There are a few key steps you can take to prevent bearing damage. These include:
- Inspecting the bearings regularly
- Keeping the bearings clean
- Lubricating the bearings regularly
- Ensuring that the bearing is correctly installed
One of the best ways to prevent bearing damage is to inspect the bearings on a regular basis. This will allow you to identify any potential problems early on, before they have a chance to cause damage.
It's also important to keep the bearings clean. This can be done by using a high-pressure air hose to blow away any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the bearings. If you're working in an industry where contamination is a risk, you may need to take additional steps to keep the bearings clean, such as using a cleanroom.
Lubricating the bearings on a regular basis is another key step in preventing bearing damage. This will help to keep the bearings cool and reduce the risk of excessive wear. The type of lubricant you use will depend on the operating conditions and the type of bearing.
Ensuring that the bearing is correctly installed is also crucial in preventing bearing damage. This includes ensuring that the bearings are aligned correctly and that the correct amount of clearance is provided.
In Summary
If you're having problems with your bearings, troubleshooting can help to identify the root cause of the problem. By understanding the most common causes of bearing damage, you can take steps to prevent it from happening in the first place.
If you need help troubleshooting your bearing, or advice on bearing-related issues, our bearing experts are on hand to help. Give us a call today for expert advice and support.
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The ACORN Bearing Compendium: Everything You Need to Know About Bearings, Part 1