The inspection area must be clean and free from dirt and debris to avoid contaminating the bearing. Even a small piece of debris that enters a bearing can create a point of high stress that could lead to spalling and early fatigue.
When a piece of equipment is taken out of service for routine inspection or maintenance, take the opportunity to also inspect and measure the bearings to ensure that they are still within tolerance specifications for the application. In some applications, the expected bearing life may be the limiting factor in the equipment maintenance schedule.
Between equipment tear downs where full bearing inspections are conducted, you should conduct routine inspections to ensure that bearings are operating normally and have proper lubrication. To reduce the need for these inspections, and to more closely monitor bearing and equipment health, Timken condition monitoring systems are available that sense the vibration and temperature in bearings.
The schedule for equipment tear downs for bearing inspection will vary depending on operating conditions. Consult your equipment maker for the appropriate inspection schedule.
The inspection area must be clean and free from dirt and debris to avoid contaminating the bearing. Even a small piece of debris that enters a bearing can create a point of high stress that could lead to spalling and early fatigue.
In addition to examining the bearing, a full inspection should include the housing and shaft. Check for burrs or metal chips on the inner and outer ring seats and backing surfaces (Fig. 5). Burrs or chips can be removed by scraping or filing the damaged surfaces.
Inspect the shaft for proper size, roundness, burrs or other damage. A 12-point check of the shaft with a micrometer is suggested. If there is evidence of shaft or housing wear, it should be checked against original equipment manufacturer’s specifications.
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