Bearing and Shaft Seal Maintenance

Course Number: 843

This course covers plain bearings, their parts, dimensions, functions, and relining techniques. It continues with installation and replacement of antifriction bearings. Finally, it covers linear motion bearings and shaft seals.

Recommended Contact Hours - 8

Chapter 1: Plain Bearings

Topics: Lining material characteristics; Prefab and poured bearing liners; Measuring the bore; Installation; Lubrication; Removal; Troubleshooting

Learning Objectives:

• Name the important dimensions of a plain bearing.
• State the source for learning the proper running clearance in a plain-bearing installation and describe how to measure running clearance.
• State the characteristics of bearing and liner material and explain how they influence the choice of bearing for a given application.
• Discuss the steps involved in fabricating a poured babbitt bearing liner and obtaining the correct finished-bore dimensions.
• State the purpose and general principles of plain-bearing installation.
• List important factors to consider when selecting the correct lubricant for a given plain-bearing installation.
• Identify the symptoms of bearing trouble and describe how to remedy each situation.

Chapter 2: Installing Antifriction Bearings

Topics: Inspecting the bearing and bearing seat; Bearing seating methods; Cold mount techniques; Temperature mount; Lubrication; Inspection

Learning Objectives:

• Describe proper procedures in handling, storing, cleaning, and inspecting antifriction bearings.
• Explain how to measure, inspect, and condition a shaft bearing seat prior to installing a new bearing.
• Tell where pressure should be applied to force a ball bearing onto a shaft.
• Name the two dimensions that are important in mounting a tapered-bore bearing on a shaft.
• Describe the steps involved in correctly seating an antifriction bearing.
• Discuss how an adapter is used to mount a bearing on a shaft.
• Describe the steps to take when using a hot-oil bath to heat a bearing for mounting.
• Name the three major signals of bearing failure in antifriction bearings.

Chapter 3: Removing and Replacing Antifriction Bearings

Topics: Retainers and seals; Press and impact bearing removal; Removal with mechanical pullers and heat; Cleaning, inspecting, and replacing bearings

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the correct procedures for removing bearing seals and retaining devices from a bearing assembly.
• Describe the impact bearing removal technique.
• Explain how to use an aluminum heating ring to mount and dismount the inner ring of a cylindrical roller bearing.
• Discuss the steps involved in inspecting and cleaning used bearings.
• Describe the procedures for remounting sound used bearings.
• Explain how to replace a shaft seal.
• List the safety precautions that are essential to working with bearings.

Chapter 4: Mounted Antifriction Bearings

Topics: Seals; Housings; Bearing inserts and mounting devices; Shaft misalignment; Installation; Pillow block lubrication; Maintenance

Learning Objectives:

• Name the three major types of housings or mounts for bearings.
• Name the major components of a mounted antifriction bearing.
• Describe the two basic types of bearing seal and name the advantages of each.
• List the different methods of securing insert bearings to the shaft and describe the mounting methods involved.
• Discuss shaft alignment and describe bearing design factors that compensate for misalignment.
• Explain why most bearing/shaft assemblies have one free and one fixed bearing.
• List factors to consider when selecting bearing lubricants for pillow blocks.

Chapter 5: Linear Motion Bearings and Shaft Seals

Topics: Installing and lubricating ball bearing screw; Shaft seals; Temperature effects; Shaft, housing, and seal installation and removal; Troubleshooting

Learning Objectives:

• Name the major components of a ball bearing screw.
• Describe the major differences between a ball bearing screw and an acme screw.
• Describe the main purpose of a ball bearing screw and give an example of a typical application.
• Describe the installation procedures for a ball bearing screw.
• Name the differences between contact and labyrinth seals and explain what creates the sealing action in each.
• List the factors that determine the choice of shaft seal.
• Describe how to install a lip seal on a shaft, including shaft preparation.
• Name the major problem that arises with lip seals and list at least four conditions that can cause it.