Bearing Cleaning

When bearings are inspected, the appearance of the bearings should first be recorded and the amount and condition of the residual lubricant should be checked. After the lubricant has been sampled for examination, the bearings should be cleaned. In general, light oil or kerosene may be used as a cleaning solution.

Dismounted bearings should first be given a preliminary cleaning followed by a finishing rinse. Each bath should be provided with a metal net to support the bearings in the oil without touching the sides or bottom of the tank. If the bearings are rotated with foreign matter in them during preliminary cleaning, the raceways may be damaged. The lubricant and other deposits should be removed in the oil bath during the initial rough cleaning with a brush or other means.

After the bearing is relatively clean, it is given the finishing rinse. The finishing rinse should be done carefully with the bearing being rotated while immersed in the rinsing oil. It is necessary to always keep the rinsing oil clean.

Inspection and Evaluation of Bearings

After being thoroughly cleaned, bearings should be examined for the condition of their raceways and external surfaces, the amount of cage wear, the increase in internal clearance, and degradation of tolerances. These should be carefully checked, in addition to examination for possible damage or other abnormalities, in order to determine the possibility for its reuse.

In the case of small non-separable ball bearings, hold the bearing horizontally in one hand, and then rotate the outer ring to confirm that it turns smoothly.
Separable bearings such as tapered roller bearings may be checked by individually examining their rolling elements and the outer ring raceway.

Large bearings cannot be rotated manually; however, the rolling elements, raceway surfaces, cages, and contact surface of the ribs should be carefully examined visually. The more important a bearing is, the more carefully it should be inspected.

The determination to reuse a bearing should be made only after considering the degree of bearing wear, the function of the machine, the importance of the bearings in the machine, operating conditions, and the time until the next inspection. However, if any of the following defects exist, reuse is impossible and replacement is necessary.

• (a) When there are cracks in the inner or outer rings, rolling elements, or cage.
• (b) When there is flaking of the raceway or rolling elements.
• (c) When there is significant smearing of the raceway surfaces, ribs, or rolling elements.
• (d) When the cage is significantly worn or rivets are loose.
• (e) When there is rust or scoring on the raceway surfaces or rolling elements.
• (f) When there are any significant impact or brinell traces on the raceway surfaces or rolling elements.
• (g) When there is significant evidence of creep on the bore or the periphery of the outer ring.
• (h) When discoloration by heat is evident.
• (i) When significant damage to the seals or shields of grease sealed bearings has occurred.

1. Precautions for Proper Handling of Bearings

Since rolling bearings are high precision machine parts, they must be handled accordingly. Even if high quality bearings are used, their expected performance cannot be achieved if they are not handled properly.
The main precautions to be observed are as follows:

1. Keep Bearings and Surrounding Area Clean
   Dust and dirt, even if invisible to the naked eye, have harmful effects on bearings. It is necessary to prevent the entry of dust and dirt by keeping the bearings and their environment as clean as possible.
2. Careful Handling
   Heavy shocks during handling may cause bearings to be scratched or otherwise damaged possibly resulting in their failure. Excessively strong impacts may cause brinelling, breaking, or cracking.
3. Use Proper Tools
   Always use the proper equipment when handling bearings and avoid general purpose tools.
4. Prevent Corrosion
   Since perspiration on the hands and various other contaminants may cause corrosion, keep the hands clean when handling bearings. Wear gloves if possible. Pay attention to rust of bearing caused by corrosive gasses.