Bearings these days are a precision product. It is amazing the improvements in the bearing manufacturing process over even the last few years. All of them are designed to provide extended bearing life and make sure the machine or equipment produces more efficiently and with fewer defects.

Many bearings, when they are produced, are manufactured with a lubrication that supports the bearing for the entire bearing life cycle. These "lubricated for life" bearings are designed to require no additional lubrication or maintenance after installation. Whether or not that is the case in the real world depends on the situation you are in.

Bearings are often equipped with grease zerks if the manufacturer feels the bearing needs additional lubrication after installation. If that is the case, the operator's manual should advise the best maintenance intervals for the bearing's lubrication.

If a bearing has rubber seals or metal shielded sides, and no way to relube the bearing, then the manufacturer lubed it for life in production. Breaking open the bearing to add or change lube may expose the bearing to contamination. The lubrication then traps that contamination in the bearing and causes damage.

Additionally, putting too much lube in the bearing can cause unneeded friction in the bearing, causing temperatures to be higher than normal and premature failure.

Finally, mixing different types of grease can cause them to lose their lubricating properties, and fail.

Why relube a bearing? If a bearing seal or shield has been damaged, then remove the contaminated lubrication in the bearing and replace it with fresh lubrication, hopefully the same as was produced by the manufacturer. Protect the bearing from additional damage with a replacement seal.

If the bearing is making noise, determine the cause for the noise, and address that. Adding lube may quiet a bearing temporarily, but it will need to be replaced in the long run if the reason for concern is not addressed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you need additional information, feel free to contact me through my store, Tippecanoe Coin and Industrial.