How can the internal clearance of angular contact ball bearings and tapered roller bearings be adjusted?

Aug 17, 2023

For rolling bearings, the adjustment of bearing clearance is very important and is closely related to the service experience and life of the bearing. Improper clearance will cause abnormal noise, jamming, or sound when the bearing is running, and will accelerate the service life of the bearing. So we need to adjust the clearance of the bearing to the appropriate clearance.

Unlike other cylindrical bore radial bearings, the internal clearance of single-row angular contact ball bearings and tapered roller bearings can only be established when one bearing is adjusted for the other. Usually, these bearings are matched back-to-back or face-to-face, with one bearing ring being axially displaced until a selected clearance or preload is achieved. The choice of license or preload depends on the performance and operating conditions of the bearing arrangement. Therefore, the recommendations below concern only the internal clearance adjustment of bearing arrangements for angular contact ball bearings and tapered roller bearings.

To achieve an appropriate clearance value during installation can be determined according to the load and working temperature of the bearing. Depending on the size and arrangement of the bearings, the material of manufacture of the shaft and housing, and the distance between the two bearings, the initial clearance obtained during installation may be smaller or larger in actual operation. For example, the thermal expansion of the inner and outer rings due to the temperature difference will cause the clearance to shrink during operation, so the initial clearance must be quite large to avoid deformation of the bearing and its adverse consequences. Since there is a definite relationship between the radial and axial internal clearances of angular contact ball bearings and tapered roller bearings, only one value needs to be specified. Generally, axial internal clearance is specified. The specified value can then be obtained from the zero-backlash state by loosening or tightening the nut on the shaft or the threaded ring in the shaft bore of the housing, or by inserting a calibrated washer between a bearing ring and its seat or spacers.

The actual method used to adjust the clearance and measure the set clearance depends on the number of bearings to be installed. For example, one method is to use a dial indicator mounted on the hub to check the set axial clearance of the hub bearing layout. It is essential that when adjusting tapered roller bearings and measuring clearance, the shaft or housing is turned several times in different directions to ensure proper contact of the ball ends with the guide ridges on the inner ring. If the contact is improper, the measurement result will be inaccurate, and the expected adjustment purpose will not be achieved.

The measurement and adjustment of bearing clearance is relatively simple, but it is still difficult for users who do not understand bearings. In this case, you can consult a professional bearing manufacturer. Our FV engineers and technicians are always ready For your service, and welcome to contact us.