Bearing Misalignment Why It Happens & How to Prevent It
Bearing misalignment might sound like a minor issue, but it’s one of the top causes of premature failure. It costs time, money, and patience. Especially when it could’ve been prevented with a few smart checks.
This blog is for the new starters, apprentices, and anyone manning a trade desk who needs to spot alignment red flags before they cause chaos. We’ll explain what bearing misalignment is, why it happens, how to identify it, and what you can do to keep things turning smoothly.
And as always – Godiva Bearings is 100% trade only. No public sales. No confusion. Just expert support, huge stock, and 24/7 help when your customers need it most.
What Is Bearing Misalignment?
Bearing misalignment happens when the shaft and housing don’t line up properly. Instead of a smooth spin, you get uneven load distribution, friction, and damage.
Common types of bearing misalignment:
- Angular misalignment – Shaft is tilted or misangled relative to the housing.
- Parallel (or offset) misalignment – Shaft is parallel but not centred within the bearing.
- Combination – Both angular and parallel misalignment in one unhappy setup.
Even slight deviations can cause major issues if left unchecked.
What Causes Bearing Misalignment?
The culprits:
- Poor installation
- Forced fitting
- Misaligned mounting surfaces
- Lack of measurement tools
- Shaft deflection
- Under high loads, shafts can bend slightly, altering alignment.
- Thermal expansion
- Different materials expand at different rates during operation.
- Incorrect housing
- Mismatched or damaged housings can throw off alignment.
- Foundation issues
- Uneven or unstable mounting bases can cause subtle shifts.
A misaligned bearing isn’t just annoying – it’s a red flag for bigger problems.
Signs of Bearing Misalignment on the Job
If you spot these during a maintenance walk or trade desk call, misalignment might be the root cause:
- Uneven wear on raceways or rolling elements
- Overheating or discolouration
- High vibration or unusual noise
- Grease leakage from one side
- Seals failing early or repeatedly
- Bearings failing in the same spot again and again
When in doubt, ask where and how it’s mounted.
How to Prevent Bearing Misalignment
Misalignment isn’t inevitable. Here’s how to avoid it:
Prevention checklist:
✅ Use the correct tools for installation
✅ Check shaft and housing tolerances before fitting
✅ Mount on flat, clean, level surfaces
✅ Allow for thermal expansion where needed
✅ Use self-aligning bearings if misalignment is unavoidable
✅ Recheck alignment after machine starts running
Education matters too. Many issues come down to rushed fits or assumptions made under pressure.
Self-Aligning Bearings – When and Why to Use Them
Self-aligning bearings can correct small misalignment issues automatically. They’re not a fix-all, but they can save you from early failures.
Best used in:
- Long shafts or multi-bearing setups
- Applications with vibration or shaft deflection
- Areas where perfect alignment is hard to achieve
Godiva stocks self-aligning ball bearings and spherical roller bearings designed for these exact problems. Ask us if you’re unsure.
Advice from the Trade Desk
New on the desk? Here’s what to ask when misalignment is suspected:
- “What does the wear pattern look like?”
- “Where is the bearing mounted?”
- “Was it replaced recently – or reused?”
- “Is there vibration or noise under load?”
- “Has the shaft been checked for straightness?”
The more questions you ask, the more likely you are to help avoid repeat failures.
Trade Only Support That’s Built for Pressure
At Godiva, we know misalignment doesn’t show up on a spec sheet. It shows up at 3am when a machine fails.
We’re here when that happens. 65,000+ lines in stock, 24/7/365 technical support, and fast global shipping. All trade only. No weekend tinkerers allowed.
Related reading:
Conclusion
Misalignment might not make headlines, but it’s behind a lot of breakdowns. The good news? It’s preventable.
Whether you’re speccing a new unit, helping a customer troubleshoot, or advising on a replacement, knowing the signs – and asking the right questions – makes all the difference.
Need to spec a self-aligning bearing or just not sure what’s causing the problem? Speak to our team. Godiva Bearings has your back, 100% trade only, no scripts, no fluff.
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TOM BERRY
With over 20 years experience in the Bearings distribution trade (most of which has been spent at Godiva Bearings) Tom has a vast knowledge of the complete Godiva Bearings product range. He overseas all product marketing (all 65000 products!) and the online sales portal.