What is the Most Common Cause of Bearing Failure

Asenqua Tech is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Have you ever heard strange noises coming from machines when they’re working hard? That sound might be coming from the bearings. Bearings are small parts, but they play a big role in helping machines run smoothly. If bearings wear out too fast, it can cause machines to break down and lead to expensive repairs. This post explains what is the most common cause of bearing failure and how to prevent it, helping keep machines running smoothly.

What Is Bearing Failure?

Bearing failure happens when a bearing can no longer do its job, causing machines to run poorly or stop working. This can show up in several ways:

1. Premature Wear – Bearings wear out faster than expected due to poor lubrication or contamination.
2. Unusual Noises – Grinding, squealing, or knocking noises may mean the bearing is damaged or misaligned.
3. Overheating – Too much heat from friction or not enough lubrication.
4. Complete Breakdown – The bearing fails, which can cause the entire machine to stop functioning.

These problems often come from improper installation, poor alignment, dirt or debris, or using the bearing in the wrong conditions.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Spotting problems early can help prevent serious damage. Look for:

• Unusual Noises – Strange sounds often mean internal damage or misalignment.
• Increased Vibration – More vibration than normal could point to an imbalance or wear.
• High Temperatures – If the machine is hotter than usual, it could be due to friction or poor lubrication.

Early detection of these signs helps prevent bigger problems and extends machine life.

Why Bearings Fail: The Role of Lubrication

The #1 reason bearings fail is poor lubrication—this includes using too little, the wrong kind, or dirty lubricant, or when heat breaks it down. About 80% of bearing failures are caused by lubrication problems.

Why Lubrication Is So Important

Lubrication is more than just making things slippery. It helps your machines in important ways:

1. Reduces friction – It stops metal parts from rubbing together, so they don’t wear out quickly.
2. Keeps things cool – It helps move heat away from the parts so they don’t get too hot.
3. Stops rust and corrosion – It blocks water and dirt, protecting the metal from damage.
4. Helps bearings last longer – When there’s less rubbing and damage, bearings don’t wear out as fast. That means they can keep working well for a longer time.

Common Lubrication Problems

1. Too little lubrication – Not enough oil or grease increases wear and heat.
2. Wrong lubricant – Some lubricants don’t work in certain speeds or temperatures.
3. Dirty lubricant – Dirt or water in the oil causes grinding and damage.
4. Breakdown from heat – High temperatures can make lubricants lose their protective qualities.

Proper lubrication helps prevent breakdowns, extends machine life, and saves on repair costs.

How to Keep Bearings Working Well

1. Stick to a Schedule – Lubricate Regularly

Lubricating your machine’s bearings isn’t something you do just once. It needs to happen often, depending on how hard the machine works, how fast it runs, and the kind of load it carries. If you skip lubrication, the bearings can wear out faster and fail. Regular lubrication helps everything move smoothly and last longer.

2. Pick the Right Lubricant – Match It to the Machine

Not every lubricant works for every machine. You need to choose the right one based on how your machine works:

• Fast-moving parts need thin oil to reduce friction.
  • Machines carrying heavy loads need thick grease to handle pressure.
  • Dusty or wet environments need lubricants that resist dirt and water.

Using the wrong lubricant can cause overheating, rust, and early damage.

3. Keep It Clean – Protect Bearings from Dirt and Moisture

Dirt and water are bad for bearings. They can get inside through loose seals or poor storage and cause damage. Here’s how to keep things clean:

• Make sure seals are tight and in good shape.
  • Use clean tools and wash your hands before handling bearings or lubricant.
  • Store bearings in dry, sealed containers.

4. Check and Change Lubricant – Don’t Wait Too Long

Lubricants break down over time from heat and dirt. When that happens, they stop protecting the bearing. So it’s important to:

• Look for signs of old lubricant—like dark color, bad smell, or metal flakes.
  • Use tools or sensors to monitor lubricant condition if the machine is critical.
  • Replace the lubricant regularly, or sooner if it looks bad.

Follow these four steps to extend bearing life, prevent breakdowns, and keep machines running smoothly.

How to Prevent Contamination and Bearing Failure

Keeping bearings clean and well-maintained is key to their long life and smooth machine operation. Here are five effective ways to prevent bearing problems.

1. Use Proper Seals and Shields

Good seals and shields protect bearings from dust, moisture, and chemicals. This keeps harmful particles out and helps the bearings last longer.

2. Clean and Inspect Regularly

Regularly cleaning and inspecting bearings helps spot early signs of wear or damage, allowing small problems to be fixed before they grow. Rolls Bearing emphasizes that regular checks are vital to prevent bearing failure.

3. Lubricate Correctly

Lubrication reduces friction and wear. Using the right type and amount of lubricant at the correct intervals is essential. Acorn Industrial Services points out that following proper lubrication practices gives bearings the best chance of lasting as long as they should.

4. Train Your Maintenance Team

Ensure maintenance staff are trained in proper bearing handling, installation, and care. Ongoing education keeps them updated on best practices and reduces errors.

5. Choose High-Quality Parts

Using high-quality bearings and components improves performance and durability. Low-quality parts can wear out quickly and lead to costly breakdowns. Namishwar Enterprises recommends always choosing reliable bearings and lubricants to avoid failures.

By following these steps—good sealing, regular checks, proper lubrication, staff training, and quality components—you can boost your equipment’s reliability, reduce downtime, and help your bearings last longer.

Conclusion

The main reason bearings fail is that they aren’t lubricated properly. If they don’t get enough, the right kind, or clean lubricant, friction and heat build up. This causes the bearings to wear out quickly, make noise, get too hot, and eventually stop working. Good lubrication is important because it lowers friction, keeps the bearing cool, and protects it from rust and dirt.

To prevent bearing failure, it’s crucial to maintain good sealing to keep dirt out, regularly inspect and clean bearings, use the correct lubricant on a proper schedule, train maintenance teams on best practices, and choose high-quality parts. Following these steps helps keep machines running smoothly, reduces costly repairs, and extends the life of bearings.