SKF Shares Expert Tips for Troubleshooting Bearing Temperature Issues

A simple rule for troubleshooting bearing temperatures: the housing should not exceed 180°F (82 °C). The bearing’s outer ring may be up to 20 °F (11 °C) hotter than the housing. If the original lubricant was chosen for lower temperatures, a rise of 50 °F (28 °C) can reduce oil viscosity by half or more.

This drop in viscosity can push the system from a hot but stable state into an unstable one where thermal runaway occurs. Once the oil film becomes too thin to prevent metal‑to‑metal contact, friction and heat spiral, ultimately causing catastrophic machinery seizure—no amount of added lubricant can reverse the damage.

A practical approach for “hot” bearings includes:

\n

1. Check the housing surface temperature. Even if it feels hot to touch, it may still be within acceptable limits.

\n

2. Gradually add the correct amount of fresh grease using an SKF Dialset. If the machine has a grease relief, open it so excess grease can escape.

\n

3. Monitor the temperature closely. A brief spike often follows grease addition as the bearing expels excess into the housing; this can take 30 minutes to several hours to stabilize, depending on machine size.

\n

4. If temperatures continue to rise, stop the machine and seek expert assistance. Proactive shutdown can prevent severe damage.

\n

Uncontrolled bearing failure can have severe consequences. Contact SKF’s Knowledge Engineering team for tailored solutions to temperature issues in your bearings. A quick call can save time, money, and potentially lives.

Read more on bearing maintenance:

12 Reasons Why Bearings Fail

Understanding the Importance of Bearing Clearance

Heat and Bearings: Coping with Shaft Expansion