MAINTENANCE PRACTICES

BEARINGS
Bearings

SUB - MODULE 11

Cat. Cat.
A B

7.11 - Bearings
1 2
Testing, cleaning and inspection of bearings;
Lubrication requirements of bearings;
Defects in bearings and their causes.

Issue-I, Rev.-0 11.1

INTRODUCTION
This chapter gives information regarding various
types of bearing used on aircraft and inspections and
maintenance carried out on them.
A bearing is simply a supporting surface that bears
the load of an object that moves relative to it, either
sliding across it, or rolling over it. The movement
may be simply translational or rotational.

BEARING LOADS
When a wheel axle is rotating in the housing, the
bearing has to react two distinct loads. The load that
acts perpendicular to the axis is called a radial load Figure 11-2: Use of shell bearing
and the thrust load acting parallel to the axis is called
(Figure 11-1.) an axial load. DEFECTS IN PLANE BEARING
In addition to normal wear, plane bearings are
subjected to some of the defect. These are galling,
inclusion, scratching and scoring.

LUBRICATION OF A PLAIN JOURNAL BEARING

When oil pump manages to deliver oil to the plain
bearing, the rotating surface of the shaft will then
pick up the oil and carry it ”around with it.
Eventually, the shaft becomes separated from the
complete wall of the bearing by a very thin boundary
film of oil. This situation is still unsatisfactory
because the oil film is so thin it can be broken very
easily, allowing sporadic metal-to-metal contact.
(Figure.11-3).

Figure 11-1: Bearing Loads

TYPES OF BEARINGS
Bearing are classified by the type of rolling element
used in their construction.

PLAIN BEARINGS Figure11-3: Lubrication of a plain journal bearing

Plain bearing may take the form of a flat surface or it
may be a cylindrical surface. A plain bearing is BUSHES
designed to accept radial loads, not axial or thrust A bush is a form of one-piece plain bearing, which is
loads. These plain bearings are often constructed as used to carry journal loads. It is normally pressed or
a matched pair of 'shells', each consisting of a steel or shrunk into a shaft or a pin housing to create an
bronze liner coated with a layer white metal interference fit. Bushes are typically manufactured

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from bronze. Lubrication is mostly achieved by the SINTERED BEARINGS

BEARINGS
provision of a greasing point. (Figure11-4). These porous metal 'Oilite' bearings are produced by
the 'sintering' process. The bearing is pressure
injected with a lubricant during manufacture. When
a shaft rotates in the bearing, friction draws oil from
the unloaded part of the bearing and 'wedges' it
under pressure in the loaded region. Some of these
bearings are replenished with lubricant from a
reservoir or are periodically immersed in lubricant
during servicing. It must never wash in solvent.
(Figure.11-6)

Figure: 11-4 Bush Bearing

DRY BEARINGS
These are plain bearings used where the presence of
oil or grease would compromise the operation of the
equipment. A big consideration in the design of a dry
bearing is that there is no lubricant to carry away the
heat generated by friction. Materials used include,
carbon/graphite, nylon and PTFE or Teflon. Figure 11-6: Oilite bronze bearing
( Fig.11-5)
INSPECTION OF BEARING SHELLS:
1. All parts must have been thoroughly cleaned
prior to inspection.
2. The condition of the bearing metal must be
carefully examined. Overloading of the
bearings in service can cause the shell's steel
liners to flex, this can produce fine fatigue
cracks, and pieces of bearing material may then
be torn away from the liner.
4. The shells should be checked for damage to the
bearing material from acid attack and
corrosion.
5. Scoring and major discolouration such as
blueing of the steel liners or signs of
displacement of bearing material, indicating
Figure 11-5: Dry bearing overheating, are causes for rejection.

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 6. The bearing housing and the shell liner should Ball bearings and tapered roller bearings accept both
be inspected for signs of fretting or pickup.. radial and axial load. (Figure.11-7)

INSPECTION OF PLAIN BUSHES:

1. Plain bushes are often checked with plug

gauges and are checked for ovality.

2. Installed bushes may be checked for wear by

attempting to move the shaft radially in both
directions to detect play. Again, the wear limits
specified in the maintenance manual are the
deciding factor.

3. Fretting between the bush and the shaft may be Figure 11-7: Simple ball and cylindrical rolling bearing
revealed by metallic particles in the grease
exuded from the joint. BALL BEARINGS
Ball bearings generate very little friction and they
4. Signs of corrosion on steel parts may be are designed to accept both radial and axial loads.
revealed by staining around the joint. This may Variations in their design allow these bearings to have
be the result of lack of lubrication and moisture either a higher radial load capacity or a higher axial
ingress. load capacity. (Figure.11-8)

5. Fretting corrosion on steel parts is normally

indicated by cocoa brown powder or paste
exuding from the joint. On aluminium alloy
parts, this would be black.

ROLLING BEARINGS
Rolling bearings are often referred to as being low or
anti-friction bearings. Rolling bearings are broadly
classified by the type of rolling element used in their
construction. There are two main types of rolling
bearing.

Ball bearings employ steel balls, which rotate in

grooved raceways.

Roller bearings utilize cylindrical, tapered or

spherical rollers, running in suitable shaped Figure 11-8: Ball Bearing Construction
raceways.
These bearings may be divided into four main groups,
Both type of bearing are designed for operation namely radial, angular contact, thrust and
under continuous rotary or oscillatory conditions. instrument precision bearings.

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ROLLER BEARING oscillatory rather than rotary, such as universal

BEARINGS
Roller bearings have a much higher radial load coupling & control rod end. The length of roller is
capacity than equivalent sized ball bearings. This is several times greater than diameter. (Figure.11-11)
due to the greater contact area of the rollers with
the raceways. (Figure.11-9)

Figure 11-9: Roller bearing loads

Figure 11-11: Needle roller bearing
TYPES OF ROLLER BEARING
(3) TAPERED ROLLER BEARING
(1) CYLINDRICAL ROLLER BEARING These bearings are designed so that axes of roller
These bearings are capable of carrying greater radial form an angle with shaft axis. They are capable of
load than ball bearing of similar external dimensions, accepting simultaneous axial & radial load in one
due to greater contact area of the rolling element. direction. Used on Wheel Assemblies (Figure.11-12)
(Figure.11-10)

Figure 11-10: Cylindrical roller bearing

(2) NEEDLE ROLLER BEARING

These bearings are designed for pure radial load &
often used in locations where the movement is Figure 11-12: Tapered roller bearing

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(4) SPHERICAL ROLLER BEARING
These bearing may have one or two rows of roller 4. Excess grease may be removed with a clean lint
which run in spherical raceway in outer ring is free cotton cloth and then visible areas of the
capable of withstanding heavy radial load & bearing cages can be examined for damage or
moderate axial load from either direction. loose rivets.
(Figure.11-13)
5. The bearing can be checked for wear by
attempting to move the inner race or the shaft
in both a radial and an axial direction. If the
clearance causes excessive backlash or
vibration in the mechanism it is installed in, the
bearing should be rejected. Roughness in the
operation may be the result of grit or chipped
raceways and rolling elements.

6. If the bearings are of the shielded type, signs of

rubbing between the rolling elements and the
shields should be checked.

7. The grease that exudes from a bearing should

be examined for signs of metallic dust particles
that are indicative of excessive wear. Rubbing
the grease between the fingers can reveal the
presence of chips or flakes.

Figure 11-13: Spherical roller bearing 8. Signs of red oxide staining in the grease are
indicative of rust and there is a strong
INSPECTION OF INSTALLED ROLLING BEARINGS possibility that moisture has entered the
bearing.
1. Scheduled inspections of ball and roller
bearings are frequently carried out insitu. Play REMOVAL OF ROLLING BEARINGS
and lost motion in a rolling bearing is normally Care must be exercised when removing a bearing
unacceptable. Rolling bearings are very from its housing or shaft because using inappropriate
susceptible to corrosion. A bearing that shows methods can easily damage it. Suitable extractors
any signs of corrosion should be replaced. are usually supplied for removing separated rings or
complete bearings. If these are not available, a soft
2. Unscheduled inspection of bearings is also tubular drift may be used in conjunction with light
carried out whenever there is defect in aircraft hammer blows. Copper drifts should not be used as
system. For example: hard flight controls or these works harden and can shed broken off chips. If
Nose wheel shimming. the bearing is held tight by its outer ring in housing,
applying force to the inner ring will certainly damage
3. The exposed regions of the rings or raceways the rolling elements of the bearing. In this situation,
can be examined for cracks, signs of corrosion applying light blows to a tubular drift placed on the
or signs of discoloration indicating overheating. outer ring would be the appropriate method.

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CLEANING BEARING pitting or scaling of the surface would not be

BEARINGS
Bearings to be cleaned for further examination acceptable.
should first be wiped free of all grease adhering to
the outer surfaces. Dry compressed air will assist in 4. Holding the inner ring and oscillating the outer
dislodging it from the cage and rolling elements, but ring while rotating it slowly can check the
the bearing should not be allowed to rotate. roughness. If there is any corrosion or foreign
matter in the bearing you may hear as well as
• The bearings should then be soaked or swilled in feel the roughness as this is done. Some
white spirit to remove any remaining grease or bearings have detachable rings and these can
dirt (recommended solvent, such as Varsol or be removed to expose the rolling elements.
Naphtha solvent). It is permissible to oscillate With self-aligning type bearings, the rolling
or turn the races slowly to ensure that all element can normally be swivelled to expose it
foreign matter has been removed, but the for inspection.
bearing should not be spun in this condition.
• Soaking the bearings in solvent is acceptable to 5. The outer surfaces of the rings should be
loosen any dried-on grease. Bearings are checked for signs of corrosion. Pitting or scaling
brushed clean with a soft bristle brush and dried on the raceways or on the balls or rollers is not
with compressed air. acceptable. Fractures and chipping on the
• Always avoid steam cleaning of bearings. rings, balls, rollers or on the cage are also
• If bearings cannot be completely cleaned by the reasons for rejecting the bearing. The rings
above method, a forced jet of white spirit may should be checked for signs of creeping or
be used to advantage. spinning.
• After cleaning, the bearing should be dried with
clean, warm, dry compressed air, taking care to 6. The outer ring diameter should be measured
permit only very slow rotation, and lightly using a micrometer. The inner ring internal
lubricated with oil to prevent corrosion. diameter should be checked using a plug gauge.

INSPECTION & TESTING OF REMOVED ROLLING 7. The bearing should be oiled, mounted on a shaft
BEARINGS and rotated at 500 to 1000 RPM while holding
Bearings should be handled with polythene or lint the outer ring. Applying axial and then radial
free cotton gloves to avoid acid or moisture from the pressure on the outer ring in both directions
hands contacting the bearing surfaces. check the smoothness and resistance of the
bearing.
1. The bearings should be inspected for signs of
corrosion, pitting, fracture, chipping, Following the successful inspection and test, the
discolouration and wear. bearing should be lubricated with the specified oil or
grease and be installed without undue delay. If the
2. Slight corrosion on the outer surface of the rings bearing is to be stored, it should be dipped in
is usually acceptable; provide that it does not rust preventative oil before being wrapped in
prevent proper fit of the rings in the housings or greaseproof paper and boxed.
on shafts. The bearing should be stored lying in a horizontal
position in a clean, dry atmosphere. The bearing
3. Staining on raceways or rolling elements may be should be re-inspected for corrosion after one year in
acceptable on non-critical bearings but deep storage and be reprotected.

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INSTALLATION OF ROLLING BEARINGS: 4. Plain bearings, such as open bushes, often have
1. The rings of an axial loaded bearing are grease points and the grease is replenished
normally a push fit onto the shaft and into the periodically by using a pressure grease gun to
bearing housing, whereas those of radial loaded force fresh grease into the bearing to displace
bearings are normally an interference fit. the old grease. Some bushes may be coated
2. Prior to installation, any storage grease or oil with graphite grease, this is sodium based, anti-
should be removed. Following cleaning, it seize grease that is very temperature resistant.
should be checked to ensure that is free from
corrosion or damage and that it rotates 5. Use of a pressure bearing packing tool or
smoothly. adapter is also recommended as the best
3. The bearing must be installed the correct way method to remove any contaminants from
round and be seated firmly against the locating inside the bearing that may have remained
shoulders in the housing and on the shaft. When after cleaning. (Figure 11-14)
one or more of the rings is an interference fit,
the specified installation method should be
used. This may include pressing, freezing or
heating. In some instances where the
appropriate tools are not available, the use of a
soft steel or brass tubular drift may be
authorized.
4. The correct bearing retaining devices should be
fitted.

LUBRICATION REQUIREMENTS OF BEARINGS

Use the lubricant recommended by the
manufacturer.

1. Lubricants are required to lubricate all areas

where there is rubbing contact but they also
protect the bearing from corrosion and
dissipate heat. Grease is often a more suitable
lubricant for bearings that operate at very low
rotational speeds or oscillate.

2. High-speed bearings would be lubricated by a

supply of oil. Lubricating oil is normally
supplied to bearings in machinery by pressure,
jet or splash.

3. Many bearings are situated in parts of the

aircraft that are exposed to weather. These are
normally pre-packed with anti-freeze grease at
manufacture and are sealed.
Figure 11-14: A pressure bearing lubricating tool

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DEFECTS IN ROLLING BEARINGS

BEARINGS
The faults or defects that can occur in ball and roller
bearings, other than from normal wear, are as
follows:
1. BRINELLING:
It is caused by excessive impact. It appears as
indentations in the bearing cup raceways. Any static
overload or severe impact can cause true brinelling
that leads to vibration and premature bearing
failure. This is revealed as one or more small,
shallow, smooth, hemispherical or rounded
indentations on a raceway surface left by contacting
balls or rollers respectively. It can also result from Figure 11-15A. False brinelling is caused by vibration
incorrect installation or removal. It is common of the bearing while in a static state.
installation defect with needle roller thrust bearings
where over-tightening will press the rollers into the 2. BURNISHING
raceway surface. A condition known as 'false A polished area that is created by contact with a
brinelling' can occur when a bearing keeps sticking smooth surface made of a harder material. There is
and skidding leaving a regular pattern of galled normally no deformation or material loss.
depressions around the raceway.(Figure.11-15)
3. CHAFING
Wear that result from two parts rubbing together.
Material is normally abraded away from the softer
part at a rate that depends on the pressure between
them.

4. CORROSION PITTING
Corrosion that cannot be easily removed by polishing
usually displays various degrees of irregular pitting.
In bearings inside engines, the cause is often
attributable to acid attack. In exposed bearings, it is
due to atmospheric corrosion due to moisture and
Figure 11-15: Brinelling oxidation. (Figure 11-16)

2. False Brinelling:
caused by vibration of the bearing while in a static
state. Even with a static overload, lubricant can be
forced from between the rollers and the raceway.
Submicroscopic particles removed at the points of
metal-to-metal contact oxidize. They work to
remove more particles spreading the damage. This is
also known as frictional corrosion. It can be
identified by a rusty coloring of the lubricant.(Fig.11-
15)
Figure 11-16: Corrosion pitting

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5. CRACKING surfaces leaving marks. (Figure.7-20)
This can be caused by incorrect installation of rings or
by overloading other bearings and causing cracks on
the raceway seat or a complete fracture of the ring.
It is a cause to reject the bearing. (Figure 11-17)

Figure 11-19 : Spalling

Figure 11-17: Cracking & Notching

6. GALLING Steel Particles Sand

This occurs when two heavily loaded contacting
Figure 11-20: Example of inclusions
surfaces have a slight relative movement that causes
severe chafing or fretting. It is accompanied by
transfer of metal from one surface to the other. It is 9. MAGNETISM
likely to appear on the surfaces of inner and outer The high-speed rolling action of the bearings under
rings that are creeping. (Figure.11-18) varying loads can cause magnetism. It can also occur
as the result of lightning strikes or electro etching. If
magnetism occurs, there is a risk that ferrous
particles will be attracted into the bearing assembly
and these could cause inclusions. The bearing must
be 'degaussed' before it is used again.

10. PEELING
This is revealed as a peeling of the silver-plating on
the cage and around the cage pockets. Blistering may
Figure 11-18: Example of galling precede it. It is a cause to reject the bearing.

7. SPALLING 11. PICKUP

This is progressive breaking away of the bearing Scuffing that results in a gradual build up of material
surface under load. It is revealed sharply roughened that has transferred from one surface to another
& pitted areas on the raceway & chipping on the ball causes this. It is caused when two dry surfaces rub
or roller surface. Surface crack or inclusion can start together without a lubricant.
the process and the material suffers fatigue & breaks
away. ( Figure 11-19) 12. SCRATCHING & SCORING
Scratching is revealed as light narrow and shallow
8. INCLUSIONS marks on the bearing surface. A scratch, only
When steel particles or grit particles enter a displaced, removes no material. Scratches may be
raceway, they can be pressed into the bearing caused by fine particles that are trapped between

11.10 Issue-I, Rev.-0

sliding surfaces, it is not necessarily a cause for 15. STAINING AND SURFACE MARKS

BEARINGS
rejection. Scoring or gouging is revealed as a furrow It is located on the bearing cup as grayish black
in the bearing surface in which material is removed streaks with the same spacing as the rollers and
by sharp edged foreign objects that become trapped caused by water that has gotten into the bearing. It is
between sliding surfaces. Scoring is a cause for the first stage of deeper corrosion that follows.
rejection. (Figure.11-21) (Figure.11-23)

Figure 11-23. Staining and surface marks on the bearing.

16. BRUISING
Figure 11-21: Scratching & scoring It is caused by fine particle contamination possibly
from a bad seal or improper maintenance of bearing
13. SKIDDING cleanliness. It leaves a less than smooth surface on
Skidding is revealed as intermittent surface damage the bearing cup. (Figure.11-24)
on the contact area of the raceways that has a silvery
frosted appearance. Balls or rollers locking up &
skidding on the raceway instead of rotating correctly
cause it.

14. OVERHEATING
Caused by lack of sufficient lubrication results in a
bluish tint to the metal surface. The ends of the
rollers shown were overheated causing the metal to
flow and deform, as well as discolor. The bearing cup
raceway is usually discolored. (Figure.11-22) Figure 11-24. Bruising leaves a less than
smooth surface on the bearing cup.

ELECTRIC CURRENT DAMAGE

When an electric current passes through a bearing,
proceeding from one ring to the other via the rolling
elements, damage will occur. At the contact surfaces
the process is similar to electric arc welding. Such
electric currents can be of a low level but last for
considerable lengths of time (such as voltage leakage
from a motor or generator) or be very high level for a
Figure 11-22 : Overheating results in a bluish tint to short duration (such as that caused by a lightning
the metal surface.

Issue-I, Rev.-0 11.11

strike of the aircraft). Equal amounts of damage can CONTAMINATION AND CORROSION
occur from both situations. Contamination is a leading cause of bearing failure.
The appearance of the damage is dark brown or Abrasive substances like sand, grit, or dust that get in
grayish black fluting (corrugation) or craters in a bearing can cause dents or scratches in the bearing
raceways and rollers. Balls have dark discoloration race or rolling elements. This results in vibration and
only. Sometimes zigzag burns in ball bearings wear. Common sources of contamination are poor
raceways. Also, localized burns in raceways and handling procedures, dirty hands or tools, and
on rolling elements. The material is heated to foreign matter in the lubricant or cleaning fluid used
temperatures ranging from tempering to melting on the bearing. A clean, properly lubricated, and
levels. This leads to the appearance of discolored installed bearing delivers extensively reliable
areas, varying in size, where the material has been service.
tempered, re-hardened or melted. Small craters also Bearing corrosion is caused by some sort of chemical
form where the metal has melted. The passage of attack on the bearing materials. Moisture is a leading
electric current frequently leads to the formation of cause. Evidence of corrosion is black pitting marks or
fluting (corrugation) in bearing raceways. Rollers are reddish brown rust areas on the rolling elements,
also subject to fluting, while there is only dark raceways or cages.
discoloration of balls. It can be difficult to distinguish Handling of bearings is of the utmost importance.
between electric current damage and vibration Contamination, moisture, and vibration, even while
damage. the bearing is in a static state, can ruin a bearing.
A feature of the fluting caused by electric current is Proper lubrication is a partial deterrent to negative
the dark bottom of the corrugations, as opposed to environmental impacts on a bearing.
the bright or rusty appearance at the bottom of the
vibration induced fluting. Another distinguishing STORAGE
feature is the lack of damage to the rolling elements If a cleaned bearing is not going to be installed
of bearings with raceway fluting caused by immediately, it should be coated in rust-preventing
vibrations. (Figure 11-25) inhibiting oil or other treatment specified by the
manufacturer, wrapped in greaseproof paper, boxed
and labeled. The bearing should always be stored
horizontally, in a clean dry atmosphere.

Figure 11-25. Fluting caused by the passage of electric current

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