We were discussing ball bearing basics and types of ball bearings in our previous post. We have also seen earlier the roller bearing basics and its types. Today we will discuss here the procedure of bearing
removing from shaft and also the desired procedure for cleaning the bearing.
Correct procedure of removing a bearing from shaft protects the bearing,
bearing housing and shaft from getting damage.
So first let us see the various procedure and favorable tools for safe bearing removing process.
So first let us see the various procedure and favorable tools for safe bearing removing process.
- Hydraulic press
- Mechanical or hydraulic jaw puller
- Mechanical or hydraulic push puller
I have seen in some cases, where crew team members
remove bearing by hammering the inner ring of bearing or also by heating it via
gas flame, but this method is very dangerous for bearing and shaft also as
there will be large possibilities of damaging of shaft and bearing in this
process of removing a bearing from shaft.
So let us see the above mentioned processes (one by
one) of removing a bearing, those are widely used these days in various
industries by maintenance team.
Bearing removal with the help of hydraulic press
Hydraulic press will exert the large force and hence
we will not require large number of manpower for removing a bearing from shaft.
There are two concepts here for removing a bearing from shaft. First one, where
bearing will be supported and hydraulic press will exert the force over shaft
and shaft will start to move out of the bearing. Second one, where shaft will
be supported and hydraulic press will exert the force to the inner ring of
bearing and bearing will start to move out of shaft.
We will consider here the first concept only,
however second concept could also be used depending upon the favorable situations.
Before using this process, we must have to be assuring that length of shaft is not bigger than the available space below the cylinder end plate of hydraulic press. We will support the bearing inner ring with hydraulic press base plate and after that we will use hydraulic force of press for exerting the force slowly over the shaft. Once the desired force will be applied over the shaft, shaft will start to move out of the bearing.
Figure displayed here indicates the bearing removing
task with the help of hydraulic press.
Mechanical or hydraulic jaw puller
Mechanical or hydraulic jaw pullers could be used
for removing a bearing from shaft in a case when shaft is much large, bearing
is not feasible for removing with the help of hydraulic press or we do not have
facility of hydraulic press system for bearing removing process.
Jaw puller will have two or three jaw and each jaw
of puller must be able to grip the bearing inner ring. Before applying the
force, jaw of puller must be properly supported with inner ring of bearing to
avoid any accident. Safety policies must be followed before starting the work.
Mechanical or hydraulic push puller
Mechanical or hydraulic push pullers could also be
used as the safe procedure for removing bearings from shaft. We have already
discussed hydraulic or mechanical push and jaw puller in our post “hydraulic jaw puller”, where we have discussed the basics, various components and
accessories and operating principle of jaw or push puller.
Bearing cleaning procedure
After removing a bearing, we must have to clean the
bearing properly. We will have to use one clean container containing with recommended
bearing cleaning solvent. We will have to suspend the bearings in container,
containing with recommended bearing cleaning solvent, with the help of wire. We
should not directly place the bearing over the bottom of container as in this
situation bearings will not be cleaned properly.
After removing the old grease and dirt from bearing
with the help of recommended bearing cleaning solvent, we will have to use
natural air or compressed air without moisture for drying the bearings.
Once bearing is cleaned and dried, we will inspect
each component of bearing for any hair crack, heat mark, corrosion, clearance
of bearing and its physical condition.
We can use bearing once again with consultation
of our superior with recording the data in our history card for respective
equipment.
Recommended bearing cleaning solvents could be
secured with guidance of SKF or respective bearing manufacturer.
We will see the basic procedure of bearing installation in our next post
We will see the basic procedure of bearing installation in our next post
Do you have suggestions? Please write in comment
box.
Reference: SKF bearing maintenance manual
Image Courtesy: Google
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