Even minute dust particles invisible to the naked eye can adversely affect NSK bearings. Therefore, maintain a clean environment to prevent dust ingress into the bearings.

Subjecting bearings to severe impact during operation may cause scratches and indentations, which can lead to failure. In severe cases, cracks or fractures may occur, necessitating caution. Avoid substituting standard tools for NSK bearings; appropriate tools must be used. We frequently emphasise the importance of tools because numerous customers have damaged bearings by using incorrect tools during installation.

Within the shaft and bearing housing, bearings require positioning in three directions: radial, axial, and tangential. Radial and tangential positioning is achieved through a tight fit of the NSK bearing rings. Axial positioning only employs a tight fit in a few specific cases. Typically, axial limiting components such as end caps and retaining rings confine the axial position within the clearance range.

When selecting fits, particular attention should be paid to the following four points:

(1) The circumferential surface of the bearing ring must be well supported and subjected to uniform forces to minimise deformation and fully utilise the bearing's load-carrying capacity.

(2) The ring must not slide tangentially along its mating surface, as this will damage the contact surfaces.

(3) Free-end bearings must accommodate axial positional variations within specified limits, i.e., possess the capacity for axial movement within defined parameters.

(4) Bearings must be designed for straightforward installation and removal, minimising labour, time, and expense. When handling NSK bearings, perspiration from hands may cause corrosion. Ensure clean hands are used for handling, preferably wearing gloves where possible.

Bearing longevity is intrinsically linked to maintenance practices, as these directly influence service life and operational efficiency. Proper upkeep of NSK bearings yields significant benefits: enhanced production efficiency, higher precision in manufactured products, and extended service life that offsets the cost of replacement.

1. Shimming Method:

Insert a set of soft material shims (soft steel sheets or elastic paper) between the bearing end cover and the bearing housing face. During adjustment, first fit the bearing end cover without shims. While evenly tightening the screws on the end cover, manually rotate the shaft until the bearing rolling elements contact the outer ring with no internal shaft clearance. Measure the clearance between the bearing end cover and the bearing housing face, then add the axial clearance required for the NSK bearing during normal operation. This total thickness represents the required shim thickness. Insert the prepared shims between the bearing end cover and the bearing housing face, then finally tighten the screws.

2. Adjustment Bolt Method:

Secure the retaining ring onto the bearing outer ring and apply pressure via the adjustment bolt. Prior to pressure adjustment, measure the bolt's pitch. Gradually tighten the adjustment bolt until internal bearing clearance is eliminated, then calculate the corresponding rotation angle of the adjustment bolt. For example, with a pitch of 1.5mm and the clearance required for normal bearing operation, the required adjustment bolt rotation angle is 3600 × 0.15 / 1.5 = 360. Reverse the adjustment bolt by 360 degrees to achieve 0.5mm axial clearance in the NSK bearing, then secure it with a stop shim.

For grease-lubricated rolling bearings, the grease should be replaced after 1500 hours of operation. The grease quantity must be appropriate, as excessive or insufficient grease can cause bearing overheating. The filling volume should generally be maintained at 1/2 to 2/3 of the bearing housing capacity. However, for oil-lubricated NSK bearings, the oil level should be filled to the specified position.