Ball Bearings - Handling, Replacement and Maintenance Suggestions
Ball bearings are carefully designed and made to watch-like tolerances. They give long, trouble-free service when properly used. They will not withstand abuse.
KEEP CLEAN
Dirt causes many early bearing failures. Cleanliness is a must when working on bearings. Some things which help:
1. Do not open housings unless absolutely necessary.
2. Spread clean newspapers on work benches and at pump. Set tools and bearings on papers only.
3. Wash hands. Wipe dirt, chips and grease off tools.
4. Keep bearings, housings, and shaft covered with clean cloths whenever they are not being worked on.
5. Do not unwrap new bearings until ready to install.
6. Flush shaft and housing with clean solvent before reassembly.
PULL BEARINGS CAREFULLY
1. Use sleeve or puller which contacts just inner race of bearing. (The only exception to this is some double suction pumps which use the housing to pull the bearing.)
2. Never press against the balls or ball cages, only against the races.
3. Do not cock bearing. Use sleeve which is cut square, or puller which is adjusted square.
4. When using a bearing housing to pull a bearing, pull evenly, do not hammer on housing or shaft. With both races locked, shock will be carried to balls and ruin bearing.
INSPECT BEARINGS AND SHAFT
1. Look bearing over carefully. Scrap it if there are any flat spots, nicks or pits on the balls or races. Bearings should be in perfect shape.
2. Turn bearing over slowly by hand. It should turn smoothly and quietly. Scrap if "catchy" or noisy.
3. Whenever in doubt about the condition of the bearing, scrap it. Five or ten dollars' worth of new bearings may prevent serious loss from downtime and pump damage. In severe or critical services, replace bearings at each overhaul.
4. Check condition of shaft. Bearing seats should be smooth and free from burrs. Smooth burrs with crocus cloth. Shaft shoulders should be square and not run over.
CHECK NEW BEARINGS
Be sure bearing is of correct size and type. For instance, an angular contact bearing which is dimensionally the same as a deep groove bearing may fit perfectly in the pump. However, the angular contact bearing is not suitable for end thrust in both directions, and may quickly fail. Also check to see that shields (if any) are the same as in the original unit. Refer to the pump instruction manual for the proper bearing to use.
INSTALL CAREFULLY
1. Oil bearing seat on shaft lightly.
2. Shielding, if any, must face in proper direction. Duplex bearings must be mounted with the proper faces together. Mounting arrangements vary from model to model. Consult instruction manual for specific pump.
3. Press bearing on squarely. Do not cock it on shaft. Be sure that the sleeve used to press the bearing on is clean, cut square, and contacts the inner race only.
4. Press bearing firmly against shaft shoulder. The shoulder helps support and square the bearing.
5. Be sure snap rings are properly installed, flat side against bearing, and that lock nuts are tight.
6. Lubricate properly, as directed in Instruction manual.
Ball bearings are carefully designed and made to watch-like tolerances. They give long, trouble-free service when properly used. They will not withstand abuse.
KEEP CLEAN
Dirt causes many early bearing failures. Cleanliness is a must when working on bearings. Some things which help:
1. Do not open housings unless absolutely necessary.
2. Spread clean newspapers on work benches and at pump. Set tools and bearings on papers only.
3. Wash hands. Wipe dirt, chips and grease off tools.
4. Keep bearings, housings, and shaft covered with clean cloths whenever they are not being worked on.
5. Do not unwrap new bearings until ready to install.
6. Flush shaft and housing with clean solvent before reassembly.
PULL BEARINGS CAREFULLY
1. Use sleeve or puller which contacts just inner race of bearing. (The only exception to this is some double suction pumps which use the housing to pull the bearing.)
2. Never press against the balls or ball cages, only against the races.
3. Do not cock bearing. Use sleeve which is cut square, or puller which is adjusted square.
4. When using a bearing housing to pull a bearing, pull evenly, do not hammer on housing or shaft. With both races locked, shock will be carried to balls and ruin bearing.
INSPECT BEARINGS AND SHAFT
1. Look bearing over carefully. Scrap it if there are any flat spots, nicks or pits on the balls or races. Bearings should be in perfect shape.
2. Turn bearing over slowly by hand. It should turn smoothly and quietly. Scrap if "catchy" or noisy.
3. Whenever in doubt about the condition of the bearing, scrap it. Five or ten dollars' worth of new bearings may prevent serious loss from downtime and pump damage. In severe or critical services, replace bearings at each overhaul.
4. Check condition of shaft. Bearing seats should be smooth and free from burrs. Smooth burrs with crocus cloth. Shaft shoulders should be square and not run over.
CHECK NEW BEARINGS
Be sure bearing is of correct size and type. For instance, an angular contact bearing which is dimensionally the same as a deep groove bearing may fit perfectly in the pump. However, the angular contact bearing is not suitable for end thrust in both directions, and may quickly fail. Also check to see that shields (if any) are the same as in the original unit. Refer to the pump instruction manual for the proper bearing to use.
INSTALL CAREFULLY
1. Oil bearing seat on shaft lightly.
2. Shielding, if any, must face in proper direction. Duplex bearings must be mounted with the proper faces together. Mounting arrangements vary from model to model. Consult instruction manual for specific pump.
3. Press bearing on squarely. Do not cock it on shaft. Be sure that the sleeve used to press the bearing on is clean, cut square, and contacts the inner race only.
4. Press bearing firmly against shaft shoulder. The shoulder helps support and square the bearing.
5. Be sure snap rings are properly installed, flat side against bearing, and that lock nuts are tight.
6. Lubricate properly, as directed in Instruction manual.
