Page 181 - Know and Understand Centrifugal Pumps

Know and Understand Centrifugal Pumps

To remove old grease from the bearing internals and the housing:
w Remove as much as possible by hand.
w Flush the bearing and housing with warm kerosene.
w Following by a flush with mineral oil SAE 10 viscosity.
If the old grease is caked and hardened:
w Soak the bearing and housing in heated kerosene.

w Slowly rotate the bearing by hand.
w Rinse the bearing with clean kerosene or degreasing solvent.
w Again, rotate the bearing's outer race by hand while applying a
modest axial and radial load to the balls and races.
w Soak and rinse again as necessary until the bearing rotates freely and
smoothly.

Once all the old grease is removed from the housing and the bearing is
cleaned, it should be thoroughly inspected for damage. If the bearing is
not damaged, it can be repacked with new grease of the correct type
and consistency, and reinstalled in the equipment or stored for future
use. To store the bearing, wrap it completely in wax or oilpaper and
place into a storage box.
The following table contains some simple 'Do's and Don'ts' for
handling and working with bearings. Memorizing and practicing these
suggestions will extend the service life of rolling element bearings.

Do's Don'ts
1. Make sure all tools and surroundings Don't use chipped or dirty tools.
are clean.

2. Use only clean, lint-free cloths with Don't use cotton waste or dirty cloths to
no strings to wipe bearings. wipe bearings.
3. Use only clean flushing fluids and Don't use leaded gasoline to rinse
solvents. bearings. The chemical additives are
harmful to your health.

4. Don't handle bearings by hand. It's Don't handle bearings with wet or dirty
best to use clean cotton gloves. hands.
5. Remove all outside dirt from the Don't work in a dirty surrounding.
housing before exposing the
bearings.

6. Make sure the internal bearing Don't scratch or nick any bearing,
chamber is clean before replacing housing, or shaft contact surface.
bearings.