The impact of bearing installation on the bearing

Whether the bearing is installed correctly directly affects its precision, service life, and performance during operation. The design and installation sections related to bearing installation must be thoroughly studied and carried out in accordance with operational standards, including verification of the bearing model.

Bearing Specifications: Clean the bearing and associated components, check the dimensions and accuracy of the associated components, perform installation, inspect the bearing after installation, and then apply lubricant.

It is recommended to open the bearing package just before installation. Typically, when using grease lubrication, there is no need to clean the bearing—simply fill it directly with grease. Similarly, when using oil lubrication, cleaning is usually not required either. However, for bearings used in precision instruments or high-speed applications, it’s essential to use clean oil to remove any rust-preventive agents applied to the bearing surface. Once these rust-preventive agents have been removed, the bearing becomes susceptible to rusting and therefore should not be left lying around carelessly. Alternatively, bearings already sealed with grease can be used directly without prior cleaning.

The installation method for bearings varies depending on the bearing design, fit, and operating conditions. Since most bearings are used with rotating shafts, the inner ring typically requires an interference fit. For cylindrical-bore bearings, press-fitting using a press or thermal fitting methods are commonly employed. In the case of tapered-bore bearings, they can be directly mounted onto a tapered shaft or installed using a set-sleeve device.

When installing the bearing into the bearing housing, a clearance fit is typically used. If the outer ring has an interference fit, it is usually pressed in using a press or installed by means of cold shrinkage after cooling. When using dry ice as the coolant for cold-shrink installation, moisture in the air may condense on the bearing’s surface. Therefore, rust-prevention measures must be taken.