Flaking or spalling is loss of material from a rolling contact surface. Replacing the bearing removes the damaged component but does not establish why it failed. Record where the damage starts, how it is distributed and the service history before deciding on a countermeasure.
Use the illustration to locate the kind of feature being discussed, not to certify the condition of a real part.
Pieces of contact-surface material have detached, leaving an uneven, coarse area.
Compare the damage distribution with load, alignment, lubrication, contamination and clearance history. Earlier dents or corrosion may have contributed.
A spall describes damage, not its unique origin. It does not prove a defective material or that calculated fatigue life was reached.
Technical basis: NSK Bearing Doctor, individual damage-type references. Original BearingScope illustrations and investigation prompts, reviewed 4 October 2026. Colour, shape and depth are illustrative; source snapshots are retained in the internal audit.
| Observation or context | Interpretation to consider | Verification needed |
|---|---|---|
| Damage concentrated on part of a track | Local loading needs investigation | Record the damaged arc and orientation in the housing. |
| Early failure after replacement | A recurring assembly or duty condition may remain | Compare fit, alignment, lubrication and load records with the previous installation. |
| Debris elsewhere in the assembly | Secondary damage is possible | Inspect the lubrication system and adjacent components before reassembly. |
Photograph the complete ring and close-ups with a scale. Mark load direction and installation orientation without damaging relevant surfaces.
Retain a lubricant sample and any recovered debris in labelled containers. Do not mix samples from different locations.
Review the original designation and suffixes against the replacement. An apparent size match does not establish equal clearance, capacity or internal design.
Use a life calculation to compare documented duty assumptions, not to date the damage or claim that every early failure is a material defect.
Keep this checklist with your inspection or comparison. Checking a box only records that you have collected the item; it does not certify the bearing.
0 of 4 information groups recorded.
Original BearingScope workflow, written for catalogue research and comparison. Manufacturer material is used to check principles, not copied as a product endorsement or substituted for model-specific instructions. Reviewed 1 October 2026.
Source addresses and collection status are retained in the internal audit. No unpublished dimensions, torque settings, service intervals or interchange approvals are inferred.