Troubleshooting And Bearing Failure Analysis

Do you know what to look for when something’s wrong with your bearings? We’re looking at the VNC process for troubleshooting & bearing failure analysis.

When a roller or ball bearing gets cracked or damaged, it may set your machine to a grinding halt. A bearing failure can be frustrating to say the least. At VNC we know when your vehicle or mechanical application fails due to faulty ball bearings; these setbacks can mean wasted time and money lost. Due to bearing failure, it’s important to know what causes the defect and how you can prevent future issues with your bearings. We’re looking at 4 ways to troubleshoot bearing failures.

Reasons For Bearing Failure – Analysis
When it comes to bearing failure troubleshooting, if you don’t know the problem, you can’t know the solution. Here are some common reasons for ball bearing failure and how to troubleshoot the issues.

1. Not Enough Lubrication
It is said that up to 80% of bearing failure is caused by a lack of lubrication. Improper lubrication can break down the bearing and cause it to function improperly. If your bearing is damaged by improper lubrication it will show discoloration and wear. Always use the correct amount and type of lubricant for your bearing to keep it in good working order.

2. Misalignment
When a roller bearing becomes misaligned, it will put a stop to the fluidity of motion. In most cases, misalignment will eventually lead to improper installation, separating, and overheating. Do a routine check and inspect housings and shafts to ensure they are in working condition.

3. Corrosion
Due to acid, moisture, or broken grease traps, condensation can ruin a ball bearing. You can easily identify ball bearing corrosion spots by doing a visual check of the bearing. If corroded, the bearing will show signs of brown or red staining on the rolling portions. The bearing will also display preload loss and increased vibration when running.

4. Bearing Fatigue
Often called “spalling” in the bearing world, fatigue happens as a result of excessive overloading and misuse of the bearing type. To combat bearing fatigue, check for an increase in noise and vibration when your system is running, and be sure to replace the bearing according to the need of your application.

Since 1993 VNC bearing has been committed to quality customer service. Read our case studies to learn more about our troubleshooting process and services.

Quality Control – Common Tests All Bearings Should Undergo

If your device spins, more than likely it contains a ball bearing. The engineering of these spinning contraptions are at the base of what makes your wheels work, and what gives daily applications such as skateboards and hard drives the will to pull, turn, and push. The diverse functionality of bearings makes it all the more important to test your bearings for quality before putting them into applications. We are looking at quality control, and common tests that all bearings should undergo.

Testing Your Bearings
While bearings that have been damaged, broken, or worn do not always reveal themselves, it is better to be safe than sorry. Use your applications responsibly by testing the quality of your bearings with these easy tests.

Do A Visual Inspection
It is always a good idea to do a visual inspection of your ball bearings if you are in a position to do so. Checking for visual defects can help you repair, or know when to replace your bearings. Often times the root cause of a damaged or failing bearing is due to damaged seals. Once damaged, the seals allow moisture and dirt to enter and wear away the bearing. Some things to look and listen for when inspecting a bearing include:

1. Strange or unnatural noises
2. Discoloration
3. Flaking Along The Rolling Elements
4. Rust
5. Cracks
6. The Roller Bearing Does Not Spin Smoothly
7. There Are Foreign Objects Or Dirt In The Bearing

The Rocking Test
The rocking test is where the wheel bearing will be checked for quality by applying pressure to the top and bottom of the wheel. This creates a rocking motion on the wheel. If there is any open ended free play happening, this means the bearing is unstable and must be replaced.

At VNC we know all there is to know about bearings, and how to keep them spinning. Visit us online or call for a quote today at 800.862.3211