Avoid a bearing blunder

In the Reliability Forum department of Reliable Plant magazine, suppliers provide their insights to a question posed by editor Paul V. Arnold. This issue, the call went out to manufacturers of bearings. They were asked:

“In your opinion, what’s the most common mistake end-users make when installing bearings?”

The best answer came from Thomas T. Mills, the global reliability services manager for the Timken Company. His response follows.

“One of the most common mistakes at installation is improper bearing setting and adjustment. Set or adjusted incorrectly, the bearing is at risk for conditions such as misalignment, nicking or spalling, all of which may lead to premature failure. To avoid such mistakes, it is important to closely follow the instructions and recommendations provided by the bearing manufacturer.

Proper setting and adjustment is
needed during installation.

“Other common mistakes that can occur during installation and diminish bearing life include denting the cup and not pressing the cup correctly. It is also important to remember that the bearing is affected by its surrounding components, such as lubricants and seals. That’s why careful inspection of these elements at the time of installation will help with the overall performance of the bearing system.

“Aside from the initial installation, it is advised to consult manuals provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for proper technique and procedure when rebuilding equipment. During a rebuild, it is critical that the entire system is properly cleaned and relubricated to ensure the system is free of any damaging debris or particles. If not cleaned properly, replacement bearings and components still may be at risk for damage because the contamination might remain in the system. When the system is properly cleaned, it is equally important to be sure to handle replacement bearings and components in a clean environment so dirt or contamination is not transferred into the system during the rebuilding process.”

For more information from Timken, visit www.timken.com.