Noise is an important warning, but it does not identify the cause by itself. A similar sound may come from poor lubrication, contamination, raceway damage, misalignment or a loose fit.
Diagnosis becomes more reliable when sound is considered together with temperature, vibration, speed and load changes. A recorded trend is usually more valuable than one measurement.
What to Focus On
- rustling or squeal from insufficient lubricant
- regular impacts from local damage
- rapid temperature rise from overload or excessive preload
- changing noise from misalignment
- vibration associated with a loose fit
Recommended Procedure
- Record noise, temperature and speed safely.
- Compare behaviour at different loads.
- Inspect lubricant, seals and fastening.
- Plan a shutdown if the trend continues to worsen.
Common Mistake
Adding a large amount of grease can mask the symptom while creating a new overheating problem.
Summary
Make decisions from a combination of symptoms and their trend, not loudness alone.