Bearings are ubiquitous components in our lives, from cars to household appliances to industrial equipment. Despite their apparent robustness, bearings are often subject to failures that can lead to costly production stoppages or frequent repairs. Understanding the most frequent causes of these failures is essential to prevent them and extend the life of machines.

• Inadequate lubrication

Lubrication plays a crucial role in reducing friction and wear on contact surfaces. Proper lubrication is essential to ensure long bearing life. Using the wrong lubricant, or contaminating the lubricant, can lead to premature wear and damage.

Wrong type of lubrication : there are many lubricants for bearings, greases and oils being the main ones. It is important to choose a lubricant suited to the bearing's operating conditions.

All our recommendations on bearing lubrication can be found directly in the article : THE 4 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE LUBRICATING A BEARING

• Contamination

Dust particles, dirt and moisture can become lodged in a bearing and cause premature wear. Dirt can penetrate bearings in a number of ways :

• the wrong type of seal
• damaged or worn seals
• poorly placed seals
• incorrect storage

To remedy this problem, clean the bearing thoroughly with a suitable solvent to remove any dirt or debris. Dry completely before re-lubricating.

To prevent future contamination, use quality seals. Explore our range of bearing cleaners and seals to protect your bearings from contamination.

• Incorrect mounting

Incorrect installation can damage your part. Whether mounting or dismounting, both operations must be carried out with care and without forcing the bearing. Incorrect assembly can lead to uneven load distribution, excessive wear and mechanical damage. The alignment of the shafts on which the bearings are mounted is also important. Misalignment can lead to accelerated bearing failure.

• Bearing selection error

If a bearing is not precisely matched to its application, premature wear is inevitable. The type of load and the dimensions of the part play important roles. If a bearing is to be subjected to violent shocks or vibrations, it is advisable to choose a product specially adapted to these characteristics.

• Under or overloading

Overloading a bearing can cause material fatigue and premature deterioration. Overloaded bearings are subject to high stresses that can lead to cracking, splintering and deformation. Browse our selection of bearings to find solutions for heavy loads.

Underloading can also have a negative impact on a bearing. In fact, this part needs a minimum load to function properly. An unsuitable load would prevent the balls from rolling, instead causing sliding movements which, in the long term, would damage the part.

Bearing failure can lead to costly production stoppages and expensive repairs. By understanding the most common causes of failure and taking appropriate preventive measures, you can improve the reliability and longevity of your bearings. Finally, it's always best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and adopt rigorous maintenance practices to minimize the risk of failure.