Mon, 20 Apr 1998 11:06:59 +0100 - Message No. 2648
From: lawrence_turner@mentorg.com (Lawrence Turner )

Subject: Bearing Axial and Radial Loadings


A few years ago I used to design mechanical equipement with bearings , this
used to be real engineering -- not playing with computers all day :-)

>From memory without looking at databooks ( so don't flame me if you know
different )

Ball bearings -- OK for Radial loading - rotational loads but very poor with
Axial loading ie thrust loads along the shaft or housing.

Taper roller bearings -- Much better where heavy axial loading is present -
requires accurate positioning and preloading for correct operation.

Needle roller bearings  -  Good for very heavy radial loads.

Angular contact ball bearing - Somewhere between a ball bearing and taper
roller bearing in terms of performance with axial loads - Quite often used as
clutch release bearing in cars.

Any significant axial load on a single row ball bearing is going to cause it to
fail early - so overtightening the rear spindle can overload the bearing inner
race .

If you look at any bearing design handbooks the recommended axial load is
always VERY low compared to the radial loads.

How about using a torque wrench to tighten the rear wheel spindle - this might
help ensure that the spindle is not being overtightened :-))

Have a look at :- http://www.skf.ca/products/ballbearing.html

('98 AT ready to go this week !!)


-- 
___________________________________________________________
Lawrence Turner                      
Customer Support Engineer        

Mentor Graphics (UK) Ltd             Tel: +44(0)1635 811411
Rivergate, Newbury Business Park,    Fax: +44(0)1635 810110
London Road,Newbury,             Hotline: +44(0)1635 811111             
Berkshire,  RG14 2QB     E-mail: lawrence_turner@mentorg.com
-----------------------------------------------------------

dipper@normans.isd.uni-stuttgart.de