

Equipment Maintenance | 2 min read

4 REASONS WHY
BEARINGS FAIL
Written by Vern Frahm
February 4, 2015


In our eBook 36 Ways to Kill Your Pump, we uncover several

reasons why bearings fail prematurely. Symptoms of bearing

failure include flaking, pitting, unusual wear patters, rust,

corrosion, etc., but if cared for properly, bearings can offer

substantial service life even under the harshest conditions.

According to an article in Machinery Lubrication, there are 4

common reasons for premature bearing failure: improper lubrication procedures, installation errors, operational

stress and bearing selection, and the operating environment. This post dives into each of these causes and why

they're problematic for bearings.

IMPROPER LUBRICATION PROCEDURES

Last week, we published a post about the Truth Behind Lubrication & Over Greasing where we discussed the

benefits of lubrication and the effects of over greasing. To recap, lubrication prevents metal-to-metal contact,

prolongs service life, and keeps contaminates out of the bearing housing. But, using too much grease is equally

as bad as not using a lubricant altogether. Over greasing is often to blame for bearing failure because it creates

elevated energy loss, increased temperatures, and oil bleed.

Lubrication failures also happen when an operator:

 Uses the wrong type

 Doesn’t use enough

 Allows the lubricant to come into contact with water or other contaminates

It’s also important to consider the grease service life, which is known as the “the time over which proper bearing

function is sustained by a particular quantity and category of grease”. This is particularly important in pumps,

compressors, and motors.

MOUNTING & INSTALLATION ERRORS

When mounting and installing bearings, be sure to use the right tools and verify shaft and housing tolerances.

When the fit is too tight, too much preload is created. When the fit is too loose, you can generate too little

preload, which could cause the shaft to rotate in the bearing. Misalignment or shaft deflection should also be

avoided.

OPERATIONAL ISSUES & BEARING SELECTION

It isn't common for bearings to be incorrectly selected for an application. But, things can change throughout the

life of a pump. Bearing overload and fatigue are effects of bearing loads becoming too high. If bearing loads are

too low, skidding may occur. Both result in premature bearing failure. Improper internal clearance can also result

in unexpected failures.

Generally speaking, the first sign of bearing failure is unusual noises and/or increased temperatures. However, it

is common for bearing temperatures to rise at start-up and stabilize as the equipment runs during normal

operating conditions. But, as for the unusual noises, there are “normal” bearing sounds that reveal certain issues

in the bearing application. Operational stress also plays a role, such as equipment vibration, which we've learned

wreaks havoc on rotating equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE

The equipment's operating environment is often overlooked. Using appropriate sealing techniques can prevent

dirt or water from contaminating the bearing. External heat can also influence bearing life by mandating choices

in radial internal clearance, high-temperature lubricants, intermittent or continuous running, etc. Not such a

common occurrence, but worth noting is if a current passes through rolling elements it can create sparks, which

causes pitting or fluting on the bearing surfaces.

Remember that premature bearing failure can be caused by one (or more) of the above factors. Careful

consideration should be taken when selecting bearings for any piece of rotating equipment to ensure it can

withstand the application.


For help with repetitive failures on rotating equipment, contact our Service Team! We provide in-house or field

service and repair services for pumps, valves, mechanical seals, etc.

   

P R E V I O U S S T O R Y

← Why Viscous Fluid Is The Centrifugal Pump's Kryptonite

N E X T S T O R Y

4 Reasons You Have Entrained Air In Your Pumping System →


 You May Also Like
These Stories on Equipment Maintenance

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

Can A Centrifugal Pump Run Backward?

September 29, 2021 | 3 min read


 EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

4 Benefits of Rebowling For Vertical Turbine Pumps

June 24, 2021 | 3 min read


 EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

When New Work Orders Cause Centrifugal Pump

Failures
March 31, 2021 | 3 min read

Talk To Our Team

First Name*

Last Name*


Email*

Phone number*

Company name*

Street address*

City*

State/Region*
Please Select

How can we help?*

SEND REQUEST NOW


PRODUCTS
Pumps, Drives & Monitoring
Valves & Valve Automation
Seals & Couplings
Filters & Strainers
Mixers
Water/Wastewater Processing Equipment
Skid Systems
Sanitary Cleaning Systems
Heat Exchangers

PUMP SKID SYSTEMS

Skid System Packages
Skid Systems By Market
Our Team
Success Stories
Skid System Store
Skid System Repair Services

SERVICES
OEM Repair
Installation & Startup
Predictive & Preventive Maintenance
Water/Wastewater Treatment Equipment Repair
Emergency Repair
Flex Support Program
John Crane Seal Repair
Root Cause Analysis
Skid System Refurbishment
Valve Automation
Floor Coatings

RESOURCES
Resource Library
Video Library
Blog 
Success Stories

ABOUT US
News
Careers
Leadership
Media Kit
Events
Contact Us

REQUEST A QUOTE

CONTACT US
Headquarters and Service Center
707 Ford Street
Kimberly, WI 54136
920-733-4425

OptiFlow Design and Build Center

1002 Truman Street
Kimberly, WI 54136
920-733-4425

Burnsville Service Center

12265 Nicollet Avenue
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-444-1949

Grand Rapids Service Center

26489 Industrial Blvd
Cohasset, MN 55721
952-444-1949


© Copyright 2020. Crane Engineering. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.