Lubricating Your Bearings: What You Need to Know

At VNC we know bearings. We also know that you want your ball bearings and roller bearings to last as long as possible without rusting or wearing out. Lubricating your bearings will help to keep them in great shape, and requires little time and energy on your part for something that will benefit your bearings’ performance in the long run.

First start by removing your bearings by using a bearing puller.

Next remove the bearing seals. You may be able to do this with a small screwdriver. Your bearing may having one or two seals to remove before getting to the cage and balls. Be careful not to damage the seals during removal.

Clean your bearings first. You’ll want to remove old grease and grime from the bearings for optimum performance afterwards. You may soak your bearings in alcohol, solvent, or use a pre-packaged bearing cleaner. Soak for several minutes before rinsing with clean solvent.

Now you’ll want to reapply lubricant to your bearings. Start by letting them air dry.  Never use compressed air to spin the bearing without lubrication. Apply the recommended amount of your chosen lubricant and reinstall the seal(s).

Now you’ve completed greasing up those bearings and you’ll be in for a smoother spin. VNC has been around since 1993, building a reputation for supplying high-quality bearings to our customers. At VNC we’re all about bearings. Call us at 800.862.3211 with any questions or to REQUEST A QUOTE.

Fun Facts About Bearings

Keeping your bearings in tip top shape can be some serious business for some seriously fun activities. Today, ball bearings are used for skateboards, airplanes, computers, trains, video games, washing machines, longboards and so much more. Today’s generation isn’t the first one to think up using roller bearings in new and inventive ways. We’ve compiled a list of bearing fun facts to help you get more acquainted with these useful little mechanisms.

•  The Hubble telescope, weather satellites, and even the Mars Space Rover all use bearings.

•  If you were to expand a 1-inch ball to equal the size of planet Earth, the ball would be rounder than the actual Earth.

•  If you were to file down onto a ball bearing, you would wear out the file before you’d wear out the bearing!

•  In Egypt around 2600 BC, ancient ball bearings were used to help transport bricks that were used in building the pyramids.

•  70% of bearing failures are from improper lubrication. Remember to use the correct amount when it comes to lubing up those bearings.

•  If you dropped a ball bearing into acetone, the bearing would begin to rust as soon as it touched your skin.

•  During the war, ball bearing factories in Germany were often bombed, as they were essential to the war industry in Germany.

•  When using outer race rotation, you’re reducing your bearings lifespan by 20%

At VNC we supply bearings that last, carrying a reputation of high-quality, successful craftsmanship. With over 20 years’ experience you can feel confident calling VNC at 800.862.3211 with any questions you have, or to schedule a quote for all your bearing needs.