When machines experience a failure, your first approach is to collect technical information and failure history.

Take an OVERVIEW rather than the NARROVER approach of investigating the apparent immediate problem and carry our a macro-analysis.

Unsuitable lubricant (the oil might have a low viscosity, additives might be lacking or may be unsuitable and corrosive). Alteration of lubricant properties, Starved and Over lubrication. - damage due to these factors can be avoided by taking into account all operating conditions in lubricant selection and by renewing grease at sufficiently short intervals / in good time.

Contaminants in the lubricant (both solid and liquid). - no proper preventive maintenance system eg. Thorough cleaning of the bearing mating parts, grease ins not properly stored.

Rolling element bearings may fail for many reasons. Research by expert engineers have determine the cause of failures through experiential tests and have been carefully documented.

The data base documents failures of rolling element includes.