A Danish customer was experiencing repeated bearing failures at the same position on a large belt conveyor. Replacing the bearing restored operation temporarily, but the same location continued to fail.
The application used double-row tapered roller bearings under heavy and combined loading. The recurring pattern suggested that the investigation needed to look beyond the bearing itself.
Customer Challenge: The Same Bearing Position Kept Failing
Repeated shutdowns were affecting conveyor availability and increasing maintenance work. The customer wanted to understand why the failures kept returning before changing suppliers or simply installing another replacement bearing.
Failure Review Combined Physical Evidence with Operating Records
EIM Bearing worked with the customer to collect information from the failed position, including:
Failed bearings for examination
Operating hours and replacement history
Load and speed information
Lubrication records
Installation and maintenance records
Looking at the bearing damage together with operating history made it easier to separate a component defect from an application or maintenance problem.
Finding: Contamination Had Damaged the Lubricating Film
The reported investigation identified dust, moisture and metal debris entering the bearing environment. The contamination disrupted the lubricating film and the damaged bearings showed pitting, scratching and fatigue spalling.
This explained why bearing replacement alone had not solved the recurring failure: the conditions damaging the bearing were still present at the installation position.
Corrective Action Must Address the Cause, Not Just the Bearing
The review provided a basis for improving sealing, lubrication and installation practices. bearing selection also needed to be checked against the conveyor’s actual load, speed and operating environment.
The exact corrective action should follow the confirmed cause. In this case, preventing contaminant ingress and maintaining a suitable lubricant condition were central concerns.
What to Send for a Bearing Failure Review
If bearings repeatedly fail at the same location, useful information includes the bearing model, clear damage photos, operating hours, load and speed data, lubricant type and relubrication interval, shaft and housing fits, and installation records.
EIM supplies standard and custom tapered roller bearings. You can also use the Specifications Center to review bearing data before discussing a replacement or application problem.
Need to verify a bearing for your equipment?
Send the complete model designation or drawing, load conditions, speed, quantity and other critical requirements.
