PROPER HANDLING

PRACTICE
OF BEARINGS
PROPER PRACTICE FOR THE CLEANING,
MOUNTING, ADN REMOVAL OF BEARINGS

CONTENTS

1. Bearing Advantages/ Drawbacks.........................................................1

2. Bearing Mounting Precautions.............................................................1

3. Inspection before Mounting.................................................................2

4. Preparations for Mounting...................................................................3

5. Pressing Surfaces..............................................................................4

6. Press Method....................................................................................5

7. Mounting with Hammer and Mounting Devices......................................5

8. Mounting Inner and Outer Rings Together.............................................6

9. Temperature Mounting........................................................................7

10.Bearing Removal Precautions.............................................................7

11.Removal with Hand Press.................................................................. 8

12.Removal using Bearing Puller and Soft Metal Device.............................9

13.Removal with Hammer and Soft Metal Protector..................................9

14.Bearing Cleaning - Containers and Oil.................................................10

15.Rough Cleaning.................................................................................11

16.Final Cleaning...................................................................................11

17.Inspection After Cleaning...................................................................11

18.Storage of Bearings..........................................................................12
 Many bearing failures are attributable to improper handling and,
therefore, can be prevented by using proper handling procedures.

1. Bearing Advantages / Drawbacks

Advantages: D r a w b a c k s:
1. Exceptional power conservation 1. Rust easily
2. Outstanding lubricating efficiency 2. Sensitive to dirt
3. Clean 3. Require careful handling
4. Low cost operation
5. Ensure high machine accuracy
6. Standardized (Common worldwide)
7. Preloadable
8. Can be lubricated with grease

2. Bearing Mounting Precautions

The key point in handling a bearing is to 5.Most bearings may be

keep the bearing clean. mounted without removing
Penetration o f dirt or other contaminants the preventive grease from the
is amajor cause of early failure. Observe bearing.
the following precautions: 6.Do not bump or drop bearings.
1.Mount bearing using clean tools in If the geometric precision is damaged,
clean work places. unsatisfactory operation will result.
2.Use tools made of wood or light metal to
install the bearing. Avoid a tool which
will result in chipping of surfaces.
3.Open the bearing packaging just
prior to use.
4.Clean hands before handling the
bearing.

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 3. Inspection Before Mounting

Inspect the shaft and the bearing housing to Check also that the corners and the right
make sure that they have been finished to angle of the shaft and bearing housing fit
the dimensions specific in the drawing. the side of the bearing.

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 4. Preparations for Mounting

Make sure the fitting surfaces of the shaft small they are, using oilstone or fine
and the bearing housin gare free from sandpaper. Coat the area where the shaft
scratches, burrs, dirt and that no moulding and bearing housing meet with mineral oil to
sand remains in the housing. facilitate mounting of the bearing and prevent
Remove scratches and burrs no matter how the area of contact from being scratched.

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 5. Bearing Mounting - Pressing Surfaces

Press the inner ring to mount the bearing on nor the inner ring to mount in the housing;
the shaft. Likewise, press the outer ring to the receway may be scratched and noise or
mount it in the housing. DO NOT press the early failure will result.
outer ring to mount the bearing on the shaft,

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 6. Bearing Mounting - Press Method

Apply even force to the bearing at a right can damage the bearing. NEVER apply force
angle. Avoid driving on only one side as this to the bearing retainer or seal.

7. Mounting With Hammer and Mounting Device

The bearing is frequently mounted with a bearing. Hit the mounting device with a
hammer and mounting device. Do not strike hammer, as illustrated below. Tap the
the bearing directly; this can damage the mounting device lightly, using many strokes.

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 8. Mounting Inner and Outer Rings Together

If both the inner and outer rings must be The driving force must be applied uniformly
mounted in an interference fit because of to the inner and the outer rings. If force is
machine construction, then use a driving applied only to the inner ring, then damage
plate as illustrated below. to the bearing can result.

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 9. Temperature Mounting

A popular method of mounting bearings to support it on a screen; DO NOT place the

obtain a high interference fit is to heat the bearing on the bottom of the container.
bearing in clean mineral oil to between When the temperature of the bearing reaches
90oC and 120oC.This will expand the bore the desired level (120oC or less ), mount it
diameter and facilitate mounting on the shaft. rapidly.The bearing will contract when cooled
o
DO NOT HEAT THE BEARING ABOVE 120 C and a gap may occur between the shoulder
BECAUSE THIS MAY REDUCE THE HARDNESS of the shaft and the side of the bearing .
OF THE BEARING. If this should occur, press the bearing against
Suspend the bearing in the oil with a wire, or the shoulder using a mounting device.

10. Bearing Removal - Precautions

1. Apply the force for removal to the inner 2. Apply even force around the side of the
ring when removing the bearing from the bearing ring at a right angle
shaft, and to the outer ring when removing
it from the housing.

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 11. Removal with Hand Press

The most appropriate tool for removing a If the plate supports the outer ring only, a
bearing is a hand press. when using the driving force passes from the outer ring to
press, be sure that the arbor center and the the inner ring through the balls, causing
bearing center are aligned; and that the inner brinell dents on the outer ring, which will lead
ring is supported by a bearing support plate. to premature failure.

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 12. Removal using Bearing Puller and Soft Metal Device
When removing the bearing with a bearing the shaft from being scratched.
puller, use a piece of soft metal to protect

13. Removal with Hammer and Soft Metal Protector

When removing the bearing with a hammer, below, to protect the shaft from being
use a soft metal protector, as illustrated damaged.

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 14. Bearing Cleaning-Containers and Oil

Use separate containers for rough cleaning Clean paraffin is appropriate for cleaning
and final cleaning, and provide a screen to bearings. If bearings are very dirty, gasoline
support a bearing in both steps. Containers may be used. Care should be taken, however,
like those illustrated below are desirable. to prevent gasoline from igniting and to
prevent rusting after cleaning.

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 15. Rough Cleaning
Do not revolve the inner or outer rings of a Leave it in the oil until dirt or grease separate
dirty bearing after immersing it in oil because from the bearing. If the oil is heated it cleans
the inside surfaces are easily scratched. the bearing effectively. However, never heat
o
the oil above 120 C.

16. Final Cleaning

After washing off the dirty grease in the rough After cleaning, carefully wipe the bearing with
cleaning process, place the bearing in the a clean cloth, apply a coat of rust preventive
final cleaning container. While the bearing oil to the bearing, and wrap it in rust
is submerged in clean oil, rotate the inner or preventive paper if the bearing will not be
outer ring so that the inside of the bearing used immediately.
will also be cleansed.

17. Inspection After Cleaning

To check the bearing after cleaning, hold the the outer ring. If the bearing is faulty, a
inner ring horizontally with one hand and spin vibration will be felt in the hand.

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 18. Storage of Bearings

♦ Avoid storing bearings in places with high ♦ Do not take bearings out of the cardboard
humidity. boxes or protective wrappings.
♦ Store bearings in a cool place. ♦ Do not stack bearings because the
♦ If bearings come packed in a wooden box, protective anti-rust compound may be
take them out of the wooden box squeezed out of bottom bearings.
immediately, and store them on a shelf.

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KEEP BEARINGS CLEAN DIRT MEANS DAMAGE
THINGS TO REMEMBER

DON’TS DO’S
1. Don’t work in dirty surroundings. 1. Work with clean tools,in clean
surroundings.
2. Don’t use wooden mallets or work on
rough or dirty bench tops. 2. Remove all outside dirt from housing
before exposing bearings.
3. Don’t use dirty, brittle or chipped tools.
3. Handle with clean,dry hands.
4. Don’t handle bearings with dirty, moist
hands. 4. Treat a used bearing as carefully as a
new one.
5. Don’t spin uncleaned bearings.
5. Use clean solvents and flushing oils.
6. Don’t spin any bearings with compressed
air. 6. Lay bearings out on clean paper.

7. Don’t use same container for clearing 7. Protect disassembled bearings from
and final rinsing of bearings. dirt and moisture.

8. Don’t use cotton waste or dirty clothes 8. Use clean, lint-free rags if bearings are
to wipe bearings. wiped.

9. Don’t expose bearings to moisture or 9. Keep bearings wrapped in oil-proof

dirt at any time. paper when not in use.

10. Don’t scratch or nick bearing surfaces. 10. Clean inside of housing before replacing
bearings.
11. Don’t remove grease or oil from new
bearings. 11. Install new bearings as removed from
packages, without washing.
12. Don’t use incorrect kind or amount of
lubricant. 12. Keep bearing lubricants clean when
applying and cover containers when
not in use.