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