Longo Page 1

SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION

Flaking
A. On rolling elements 1. Excessive loading
2. Excessive preloading
3. Overloading due to
expansion
B. Localized on raceway • Presence of dirt , rust , or
scratches
C. Circumferential on raceway • Presence of dirt , rust , or
scratches
D. Areas facing each other on 1. Misalignment of shaft or
the raceway bearing housings
2. Improper installation
3. Wear
E. Off-center, i.e. , • Excessive thrust load
circumferential on one side
F. Diagonal on the raceway 1. Deflection of shaft • Correct misalignment or
2. Misalignment of inner and
outer races
G. Areas spaced at pitch 1. Vibration without rotation
intervals of the rolling 2. Rust
elements
1 . Inspect machine design and
bearing selection.
2 . Careful installation
3 . Analyze machine design
and bearing application
• Replacement, and consider
use of a better protected
bearing
• Replacement, and consider
use of a better protected
bearing
• Correct misalignment and
install replacement with
care
Correct misalignment or
improper installation; select
more suitable bearing
improper installation; select
more suitable bearing
• Suppress vibration; better
protection of bearings

Seizing
A. Cracking 1. Overloading • Misapplication ; Preload
2. Improper lubrication, e.g ., properly; check method of
lubrication and selection of
3. Improper lubricant lubricant

B. Visible damage • Overloading • Select more suitable

Cracking
A. Cracking
B. Splitting
Rust
A. Throughout bearing
B. Localized
C. Corrosion on mounting
surfaces, i. e., inner ring
bore or outer ring outside
diameter
Wear
A. Rapid wear of rolling
elements or races
B. Retainer wear
Electrical erosion
bearing
1. Flaking due impact while 1 . Careful handling and
in operation or during installation
installation
2. Excessive clearance 2 . Inspect mounting and
preloading
3. Excessive interference or 3 ..Check for proper fit and
out of roundness concentricity
• large shaft radius at • Inspect accuracy of shaft
bearing mounting shoulder and bearing housing
construction
1. Improper storage • Consideration of storage,
2 Left unprotected maintenance and corrosion
3. Poor cleaning inhibition
4. Inadequate rust inhibition
1. Improper packaging • Improved storage and
2. Sweating hands maintenance practices
1. Loose mounting • Reconsider construction of
2. Inadequate protection shafts and bearing
housings ; reconsider
moisture protection
1. Presence of dirt in lubricant • Inspect lubricants and
2. Rusting lubrication
• Improper lubrication, e.g ., • Inspect lubricants and
lack of lubrication

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Longo Page 2

• Crater-like pitting (fluting) • Electrical sparking • Ground stray currents;

insulate bearing
Roughening
A. Roughness Dirt pressed between • Improve maintenance
rolling elements and practices
raceways
B. Sparkling surfaces • Improve maintenance
practices
C. Striking during handling • Careless handling • Improve maintenance
practices
D. Damage during installation • Careless installation • Improve maintenance
practices
Smearing
• Scratched surfaces of 1. Improper lubrication • Inspect lubricant and
raceways or rolling 2. Skewing of rolling method of lubrication
elements elements
3. Improper lubricant
Creep
A. Wear of race mounting 1. Excessive clearance in • Inspect seating and
surfaces mounting accuracy of construction of
2. Looseness of bearing shaft and bearing housings ;
retainer reevaluate design

B. Slippage, discoloration • Abrasion • Inspect seating and

accuracy of construction of
shaft and bearing housings ;
reevaluate design

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