How to identify bearings

Identification clues

• —Designation stamped on the outer ring face or shield (e.g. a 4–5 digit series code with suffixes)
• —Shield or seal type visible on the face — metal shield, rubber seal, or open
• —Rolling element shape: balls, cylindrical, tapered or needle rollers
• —Bore, outside diameter and width — the three dimensions that define fit
• —Flanges, snap-ring grooves or extended inner rings

Common types

• —Deep groove ball
• —Angular contact
• —Cylindrical roller
• —Tapered roller
• —Needle roller
• —Spherical roller
• —Plain / bushing

Typical failure modes

• —Spalling / fatigue flaking
• —Brinelling from impact or static vibration
• —Contamination wear
• —Lubrication starvation and overheating
• —Corrosion and fretting
• —Electrical fluting

What a replacement must match

• —Match bore × OD × width exactly
• —Match seal/shield suffix and clearance class
• —Confirm load direction and speed rating
• —Check cage material and lubricant for temperature

Photos that help identification

• —Photograph the ring face with markings in raking light
• —Include a ruler or calliper reading of bore and OD
• —Show the seal side and the side profile

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