TECHNICAL

Setting Techniques for Tapered

Roller Bearings
David Novak, Timken Director, Service Engineering

Introduction
Tapered roller bearings can be set at initial machine assem-
bly to any desired axial or radial clearance. This unique fea-
ture enables a designer to control bearings to meet antici-
pated application operating conditions, and thereby provide
optimum bearing and system performance.
Some advantages of tapered roller bearings pertaining to
setting include:
• Longer bearing life, achieved by optimizing bearing
settings while meeting application performance
requirements
• Increased mounting stiffness, achieved by properly set
tapered roller bearings resulting, for example, in better
gear contact and longer gear life
• Easier assembly because cone and cup are separable
• The bearings can be set at the time of machine assembly,
allowing wider shaft and housing tolerances

The setting of tapered roller bearings can be readily accom-

plished by a wide variety of viable methods. These bearings Figure 1 Simplified machine assembly showing a typical tapered
roller bearing (indirect) mounting
can be set manually, supplied as pre-set assemblies, or set
by automated techniques. There are a number of approaches,
considerations and advantages for each, with special focus
on five popular automated techniques, i.e. — set-right; acro-
set; projecta-set; torque-set; and clamp-set (Table 1).

Bearing Setting
With tapered roller bearings, the term “setting” simply in-
dicates the specific amount of end-play (axial clearance) or
pre-load (axial interference) within a mounted bearing. The
flexibility to easily adjust and optimize setting at the time of
assembly is an inherent advantage of tapered roller bearings.
Unlike other types of anti-friction bearings, tapered roller
bearings do not require tight control of shaft or housing fits to
obtain setting. Because tapered roller bearings are mounted
in pairs (Fig. 1), their setting is primarily dependent upon the
axial location of one bearing row relative to the opposite row.
The three primary conditions of bearing setting are defined Figure 2 Calculated Bearing L10 Life vs Operating Setting
as:
1. End-play. Axial clearance between rollers and races justment is the “cold” or “ambient” bearing setting, and is es-
producing a measurable axial shaft movement when a tablished before the equipment is subjected to service.
small axial force is applied — first in one direction and Bearing setting during operation is known as the “operat-
then in the other — while oscillating or rotating the shaft
(the reference bearing load zone less than 180°). ing bearing setting,” and is a result of changes in the ambient
2. Pre-load. Axial interference between rollers and races environment bearing setting due to thermal expansion and
such that there is no discernible axial shaft movement deflections encountered during service. The ambient bearing
when measured as described above. A rolling resistance to setting necessary to produce the optimum operating bearing
shaft rotation results, which may be measured (load zone setting varies with the application. Application experience, or
greater than 180°). testing, generally leads to the determination of optimum set-
3. Line-to-line. A zero setting condition; the transitional tings. Frequently, however, the exact relationship of ambient
point between end-play and pre-load. to operating bearing settings is unknown, and an educated
A bearing setting obtained during initial assembly and ad- estimate has to be made. To determine a suggested ambient

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 Table 1 Comparison of Tapered Roller Bearing Setting Methods
Setting Method
Requirements Preset
Manual Set-Right Acro-Set Projecta-Set Torque-Set Clamp-Set
assembly
Mounted bearing setting range, 0.008 – 0.014
0.004 – 0.010 0.006 – 0.012 0.004 – 0.006 0.002 – 0.004 0.005 – 0.007 0.003 – 0.005
in. (Typical Min to Max) (probable)
End play or End play or End play or End play or End play or
Mounted setting region End play End play
preload preload preload preload preload
Loose fitted member for No No No Yes No No Yes
adjustment?
Yes
Apply set-up load? Yes No No Yes (constant) Gauge Yes Yes (constant)
spring
Yes Yes Yes
Special gauges, fixtures; No No No No Special gauge & Rolling torque Compensating
components? LVDT* gauge ring
Yes
Special bearing codes or Yes Codes &
No “Matched” No No No No
assemblies? spacers
assembly
Pretesting needed to develop No No Yes (limited) Yes Yes Yes Yes
method?
Low to Moderate to Moderate to
Typical production volume Low to High Low to High Low to High Low to High
Moderate High High
Low-Med Low Low-Med Chart/
Assembler skill or training level High Low Low Low
Chart reading LVDT reading gauge reading
Yes
Shim pack applied? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes constant size
No
Shim gap measurement? Yes No No Yes No (LVDT) No
(brg torque)
No No
Possible use of wider bearing Yes Control fit Need tighter Yes Yes Yes Yes
system mounting tolerances? tolerances tolerances
Bearing rotation or oscillation? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes (with Yes
Applicable for field service? Yes Yes Yes service No (with manual Yes
manual) and new brgs)
Readily applicable No Yes Yes Yes No No No
to large, heavy units?
Note: All bearing setting methods above require proper backing and positive clamping of bearing components.
* Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT)

bearing setting for a specific application, contact your bear- fatigue life can be drastically reduced. Also, excessive operat-
ing representative. ing pre-load can lead to lubrication problems and premature
Generally, the ideal operating bearing setting is near-zero, bearing damage due to high heat generation.
to maximize bearing life. Most bearings are set with a cold Load zone is a physical measure of the raceway-loaded arc
setting of end-play at assembly. This comes as close as pos- and is a direct indication of how many rollers share the ap-
sible to the desired near-zero setting when the unit reaches plied load. For a single-row tapered roller bearing, maximum
its stabilized operating temperature. life is obtained with a load zone of approximately 225°.
Some applications are set with cold pre-load to increase Figure 2 shows the graphical representation of bearing L10
rigidity and axial positioning of highly stressed parts that life vs. the operating bearing setting for a typical (overhung)
would otherwise be dramatically affected by excessive de- pinion bearing mounting.
flection and misalignment. The ideal operating setting that will maximize bearing sys-
Excessive operating pre-load must be avoided, as bearing tem life is generally near-zero to slight pre-load.

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 TECHNICAL

Manual Bearing Setting

Manual methods are frequently used to set bearings on a va-
riety of equipment with low-to-moderate volume production
requirements, whereby a less-than-exact, primarily end-play
setting range variation is acceptable. No special tooling, gaug-
es, charts or fixtures are typically required, but assembler skill
and judgment are necessary. For example, in the case of a
conventional truck non-driven wheel with a single adjusting
nut design (Fig. 3), manual setting involves tightening the ad-
justing nut while rotating the wheel until a slight bind is felt.
Then the adjusting nut is backed off 1⁄6-to-1⁄4 turn to the near-
est locking hole — or sufficiently to allow the wheel to rotate
freely with some minimal end-play. The adjusting nut is then
locked in this position. Skill and judgment are required to de-
termine when the wheel binds slightly in rotation. The more
complicated the equipment, and the bulkier and heavier it is,
so is a greater degree of skill and judgment required.
Figure 4 Example of Typical Preset Assemblies

with spacer rings “custom-fitted” between the bearing rows

to control the internal clearances (Ref. “2S”- and “TDI”-
types). As such, these customized or “matched” spacers can-
not be interchanged with any other bearing assembly. Other
pre-set assemblies such as “SR”- or “TNA”-types may apply
interchangeable spacers and/or bearing components. Such
interchangeable assembly components are designed to hold
closer control of the critical tolerances that affect bearing set-
ting; as a result, they can be randomly selected.
Each pre-set bearing is supplied from the manufacturer
with a specified (unmounted) internal clearance or bench
end-play (BEP). This BEP is chosen to provide the desired
mounted setting range for the given application require-
ments. The mounted bearing setting range is determined
from this BEP, based strictly on the effect of shaft and hous-
ing fits. Typically only one tight-fitted (shaft or housing) re-
quirement is applied (i.e., on rotating member). This results
in expected mounted setting ranges of less than 0.008". The
mounted setting range of interchangeable component as-
semblies is typically wider than that for “matched” spacer
Figure 3 Truck Nondriven Wheel assemblies. To apply pre-set assemblies in an application,
simply mount and ensure proper clamping of the bearing
For certain complex designs, large equipment, or high- components through the spacers.
production applications, manual setting may be too trouble-
some, of inappropriate accuracy and reliability, or too time Typical Pre-Set Bearing Assembly Applications
consuming. The Timken Company has devised pre-set bear- Pre-set bearing assemblies are widely and frequently used in
ing assemblies and automated setting techniques as alterna- many industrial applications. Typically this includes applica-
tives to manual setting. tion in: planet pinions; hitch or linkage positions; transmis-
sion idler gears; fan hub shafts; water pump and idler pulley
Pre-set Bearing Assemblies shafts; sheaves; conveyor idlers; winch drums, at the fixed
Many applications utilize or require the use of two-row or and float positions of mining equipment; propel and swing
close-coupled bearing assemblies. This will depend upon drives; and in larger gear box drives.
the design and operating characteristics of the machine (e.g.,
thermal growth effects, high loads, etc.). To facilitate bearing Automated Bearing Setting Techniques
settings of this type of design, pre-set bearing assemblies are In addition to pre-set bearing assemblies, Timken has de-
frequently used. Pre-set bearing assemblies are available in veloped five popular automated bearing setting techniques
a variety of forms, styles and arrangements, but for the most (set-right; acro-set; projecta-set; torque-set; and clamp-set)
part are typically referred to as spacer bearings (Fig. 4). The as alternatives to manual adjustment.
majority of pre-set bearings are manufactured and supplied Table 1provides a matrix format of various features of these

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 Figure 5 Application of Automated Bearing Setting Techniques

techniques. Each method’s ability to hold a reasonably con-

trolled mounted bearing setting “range” is compared on the
first line of this table. These values are simply an indication of
overall variability in setting for each method and have noth-
ing to do with the “pre-load” or “end-play” setting target. For
example, under the set-right column the expected (probable
or 6-sigma) setting variation — due to control of certain bear-
ing and housing/shaft tolerances — could range from a typi-
cal minimum of 0.008"–0.014". This range of setting can then
be apportioned between end-play and pre-load to best opti-
mize the bearing/application performance.
Figure 5 utilizes a typical four-wheel-drive farm tractor de-
sign to demonstrate examples of the common application of Figure 6 Frequency Curve for a Normal Distribution
tapered roller bearing setting methods.
The specific definition, theory and formal process for the sional stack-up of all parts will statistically tend to be some-
application of each technique is discussed in detail in the fol- where in the middle of the total possible tolerance range.
lowing sections. The goal of the set-right method is to control only the most
critical tolerances affecting bearing setting. These toleranc-
Set-Right es may be completely contained within the bearing or may
Set-right eliminates manual setting adjustment of tapered involve certain mounting components (i.e., widths A and B
roller bearings by controlling certain bearing and mounting of Fig. 1 or 7, plus shaft OD and housing ID). The result is an
system tolerances. The statistical laws of probability are ap- acceptable bearing setting that will occur within a desired
plied to predict the effect of these tolerances on the bearing range, with a defined statistical probability/reliability for all
setting. Generally, the set-right method requires closer con- assemblies. (A probable reliability of 99.73% or 6-sigma is typ-
trol of some shaft/housing machining tolerances, as well as ical, but in higher-volume production a 99.994%, or 8-sigma
closer control (with special class and code) of critical bearing reliability, is sometimes required). There are no adjustment
tolerances. steps required to use the set-right concept; the components
The method considers that each component involved in of the machine are simply assembled and clamped.
the final assembly of a machine has a controllable tolerance All dimensions affecting the bearing setting in a machine
range for critical dimensions. The laws of probability indicate assembly — such as certain bearing tolerances, shaft OD,
that combinations of all low tolerances or all high tolerances shaft length, housing lengths, and housing bores — are con-
will rarely occur in such an assembly. It then follows that for sidered as independent variables when calculating the prob-
a “normal tolerance distribution” (Fig. 6), the overall dimen- able range. In Figure 7 both cones and cups are mounted with

SEPTEMBER 2015 Power Transmission Engineering 41

 TECHNICAL

Figure 8 1st Spin Check

Figure 7 Machine Assembly

conventional tight fits and the end-plate is simply clamped loaded. Then a 0.009" shim must be installed. A second
against the end of the shaft. “spin check” should result in a freely rotating assembly
Special set-right considerations: indicative of end-play.
1. The overall calculated bearing setting range can vary 3. If pre-load is the desired setting, the spin-right procedure
significantly, depending on the bearing K-factor, its would be applied in reverse of the above example: if the
equivalent axial tolerance, and the number of tight-fitted shaft rotates freely, the bearings are not properly set and a
components applied (i.e., larger with both tight cones shim of 0.009" would need to be removed.
and cups). A review of the application during the design
stage will enable selection of special tolerance-controlled Typical set-right applications. The set-right technique has
bearings and assist in optimizing the mounting design for been used for a wide variety of bearing setting applications,
the smallest probable setting range. which include: tractor PTO assemblies — especially with
2. To control bearing mounting dimensions, the tolerances blind end or split housing designs; automotive front-drive
of the bearing system mounting dimensions used wheels; gear reducer shafts; planet pinions; and sprockets
in establishing the probable setting range must be
consistently maintained and, in some cases, more tightly and torque hub units, as used on construction and mining
controlled. equipment.
3. If the probable bearing setting range cannot be tolerated
by the application, and attempts to reduce the larger Acro-Set
tolerances are not practical or successful, then consider This widely used setting technique is based on Hooke’s law,
the spin-right variation to set-right. which states: within the elastic material limit, component
4. The same class and code of bearing must be used for field deflections are proportional to the load applied (i.e. F = kx,
service replacement as was used for the initial production. where k = system
Spin-right variation of the set-right technique. In some spring rate). This
cases the probable bearing setting range with set-right can method assumes
be too large for the application. To reduce this range and that total system
still apply the laws of probability, a technique called spin- deflection of an
right is used. This technique can be applied to applications assembly will be
that could also lend themselves to “shim-pack” adjustment consistent and re-
(Fig. 16). To apply this method, the existing probable range peatable for a given
is simply divided by a factor of two or three, depending on applied load (Fig. 9)
which is necessary to result in an acceptable setting range for in an application
the application. where parts and
For example, assume the probable bearing setting range sections of parts are
for the design in Figure 1 is calculated to be 0.018" and the ap- reasonably uniform
Figure 9 System Deflection
plication demands a setting of 0.000" – 0.009" end-play. The throughout a group
current range must be divided by a factor of two. Thus with of units.
spin-right the desired shim increment (apply shim between To establish the method for a given machine configuration,
endplate and shaft) would be equal to 0.009" and the follow- a dimensional reference condition known as the “deflection
ing technique applied: constant” must first be determined. The deflection constant
1. Assemble the gearbox without a shim and “spin is simply the (averaged) system deflection, resulting from a
check” — without the seal in place — to determine if the known “set-up” load applied through the bearings, as deter-
bearings are set with end-play or pre-load. Under the first mined from the testing of several preproduction units. This
spin check, if the shaft spins freely, end-play is present
(Fig. 8) and the bearings are properly set. system deflection is typically gauged by measuring a shim
2. If the shaft does not spin freely, the bearings are pre- gap (Fig. 10).

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 The acro-set system constant is then developed; it equals
the deflection constant for a given applied “set-up” load, plus
the desired bearing setting. In production this constant is
added to the measured shim gap to determine the final shim
pack thickness for each unit.
The selection of the final shim pack thickness for each unit
is simplified by use of a shim chart (Fig. 11). The shim pack
thickness indicated on the chart includes the effect of the
previously established acro-set constant. Note that the shim
chart facilitates proper shim pack determination based on
shim gap measurements taken at two positions, 180° apart.
The planetary drive wheel assembly (Fig. 10) will be used to
illustrate the acro-set technique.
1. The “set-up” load “P” was established by pretesting and
is applied by 2 cap-screws (180° apart). The applied load
is proportional to the bolt torque. (Commonly, a much
larger “seating” force is first applied and the bearings
rotated to ensure proper assembled positioning of the
components prior to the acro-set shim gap measurement.)
2. Rotate or oscillate the bearings while applying the “set-up”
load “P” and measure the shim gap — first at 0° and again Figure 10 Planetary Drive Wheel
at 180°.
3. Select the proper shim pack thickness (from the shim
chart), equal to the measured gap plus the predetermined
acro-set system constant (that was established from pre-
tested assemblies). The Figure 10 chart averages the two
readings and provides the final shim pack thickness. In
this case, 0.66 at 180° and 0.61 at 0° gives a 0.97-thick shim
pack.
4. Install the final shim pack and torque up all cap-screws to
their clamp-up torque.
Special acro-set considerations:
1. Bearing “seating” and “set-up” loading is typically applied
with multiple cap-screws (i.e. Load = NT/(dμ) where:
N = # of cap-screws, T = cap-screw torque, d = cap-screw
diameter, and μ = coefficient of thread friction; where
typical μ = 0.17). Commonly, the applied seating force
should be 2–3× Ca (90) and the applied set-up force
chosen as ¾–1× Ca (90) of the lowest capacity bearing in Figure 11 TYPICAL ACRO-SET SHIM CHART
the system.
2. Loose-fitted adjustable component; a loose-fitted set is basically a method of ‘projecting’ the two faces essential
member at the adjustable position is preferred. However, to measuring the spacer size from an otherwise inaccessible
variations to tight-fitted cups and cones can be made as
described below: position to a point where gauging is possible.
A. The use of tight cups in carriers that are loose fitted in A. The tapered roller bearing assembly with lower cone
the housing. pressed into position on the shaft
B. The use of a loose fitted “master” cup or cone for the B. Also lower and upper cups in the housing but without
bearing setting operation (mean fit compensated for in upper cone
acro-set constant). C. Spacing element projects lower cone abutment face a
C. Fixture designs with built-in compensation for the tight known distance (x) (clear of shaft end)
fitted member (projecta-set). D. Gauging element projects upper cup track the same
3. All components essential to the acro-set concept, such as distance (x)
housing walls and cover plates, must have a fairly uniform E. Upper cone in gauging position
section size in successive production units. F. NO F??
4. The design must lend itself to applying a set-up load to the G. Gauging point (e.g. for low volume, a dial indicator, or for
movable bearing race for adjustment. high volume, an electronic transformer – LVDT) arranged
5. The bearings must be rotated or oscillated while applying and pre-set to indicate spacer size (S)
the set-up load.
6. The design must also lend itself to gap measurement of the In this schematic, a movable base (H) is shown which, by
movable member. the application of a known force, seats the upper cone in its
7. The thickness of the actual shim pack used should be ‘projected’ track, i.e. — the gauging element then giving a di-
verified. rect reading of the necessary spacer size. In practice, alterna-
It may be seen from this simplified schematic that projecta- tive methods may be used to suit any particular production

SEPTEMBER 2015 Power Transmission Engineering 43

 TECHNICAL

facilities and requirements; (for instance, a static base with

the gauging load applied by a moving head from the top).
Typical acro-set applications. Examples where the acro-
set method has been successfully applied to tapered roller
bearings include: manual transaxles; drop box transmis-
sions; farm tractor axle assemblies; power take-off units;
planetary pinions; differential and pinion shafts; gear reduc-
ers; and off-highway truck and tractor wheels.

Projecta-Set
The projecta-set technique is similar in concept and appli-
cation to acro-set, but adds additional versatility and sophis-
tication through utilization of a special gauging fixture. This
gauge enables one to “project” an inaccessible shim, spacer
gap, or reference surface, to a position where it can be easily
measured. This gauge typically incorporates the use of a dial
indicator or an LVDT for measured readings. It is also readily
applied in designs where the adjusting component (cone or
cup) is tight-fitted without sacrificing assembly speed or ac-
curacy. The method (Fig. 12) consists of two key gauging ele-
ments: a spacer sleeve (Ref. C) and a tapered gauging sleeve
(Ref. D), of known (typically equal) design lengths (Ref. X).
These sleeves will project the inaccessible spacer gap beyond
the shaft end.

Figure 13 PROJECTA-SET Gauging Example With Pinion Shaft

onto the upper bearing cup and apply the upper bearing
cone (Fig. 13).
2. Activate the press to clamp the gauge through the two
bearing cones. A known axial load is applied through the
bearing cups at this time by the Belleville spring internal
to the gauge. (Note that the press is required simply to
clamp the upper cone in place, against the spacer sleeve,
for proper seating; some gauge designs accomplish this
with a threaded nut design.)
3. Oscillate the gauge (handles) to seat the bearing rollers.
The LVDT probes then measure the axial displacement
between the two gauging members and the required
spacer size is displayed on the digital readout.
4. The spacer size is determined by the gauge based on the
formula (Fig. 13): S = Z − A + K
Where
S = Spacer size required
Z = Sleeve length (fixed)
A = Variable distance between corresponding diameters on
the tapers of cone and cup locator (“zeroed” dimension
is known)
K = Constant to compensate for system deflection due to
gauge spring load, mean tight cone fit effect (loss of
clearance), and the desired bearing setting
G = Measured gap, which represents the change in distance
Figure 12 PROJECTA-SET Concept “A”; distance “A” includes “G”

To illustrate the projecta-set method, reference a typi- Special projecta-set considerations:

cal spiral bevel pinion shaft assembly (Fig. 13). In this indi- 1. The size, weight, cost and design of the projecta-set gauge
rect-mounted, cone-adjusted design the bearing setting is should be reviewed for specific application viability.
achieved through the use of a spacer located between the two Typical gauging cost for an industrial application,
incorporating LVDT and internal gauge springs, is
cone front faces. The cups and cones are tight-fitted in this approximately $10,000 each. To increase set-up efficiency
application; the required gauging steps are: (for higher volumes over 30,000 assemblies/year), the
1. Place the assembled pinion shaft, except for the upper designer should consider design/usage of a special
cone and spacer, on the press table. Position the gauge automated press and press fixture to apply the gauge.

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2. Separate gauges or interchangeable components (i.e. dual
tapers) would be required if various models or shafts of
the same application use a different bearing series.
3. An alternate method of field servicing would be required
to set the tapered roller bearings (acro-set is similar and
should be given primary consideration).
Advantages of projecta-set:
• Prevents time-consuming teardowns to change shims or
spacers in an application with tight cone or cup fits.
• It can be readily applied to automated assembly
processes.
• Human judgment is minimized when compared to past
traditional manual methods.
• The use of projecta-set gauges requires minimum training
time.
• The projecta-set method provides consistent and reliable
settings. Figure 14 Dimensional Preload vs Bearing Rolling Torque

Torque-Set
The torque-set method is based on the principle that the
rolling torque in a pre-loaded bearing directly increases as
a function of the applied pre-load force (typically measured
by dimensional pre-load). Laboratory tests have shown that
the torque variation of a new bearing is small enough to ef-
fectively use bearing rolling torque as a basis for predicting/
gauging a consistent dimensional pre-load setting. This rela-
tionship (Fig. 14) is established during pre-testing of several
units and loads. Shims are added or subtracted after initial
bearing rolling torque is measured to satisfy the desired bear-
ing setting — either end-play or pre-load. A shim chart is nor-
mally used to assist selecting the final shim pack for each unit
(Fig. 15).
The steps required to perform the torque-set technique are
outlined below:
1. Assemble the unit with a reference (constant thickness)
shim pack that assures a pre-load in the system (Fig. 16).
Note the resulting bearing pre-load will actually differ
for each assembly, depending on the variations in the
accumulated tolerances of the component parts.
2. Measure the bearing rolling torque (Fig. 17).
3. Select the final shim pack thickness based on the pre-
constructed shim chart (Fig. 15).
Figure 15 TORQUE-SET Shim Pack Determination
4. Install final shim pack and complete the assembly by Chart
installing all cap screws (Fig. 18).

Figure 17 Measure Bearing Rolling Figure 18 Assembly Complete

Torque

Figure 16 Assemble With Reference Shim Pack

SEPTEMBER 2015 Power Transmission Engineering 45

 TECHNICAL

Bearing rolling torque is influenced by rotational speed between units. The most common method of measuring
rolling torque is with a torque wrench. When measuring
and lubricant used. In any application using the torque-set rolling torque, turn the shaft as slowly as possible
approach, the lubricant and speed should remain constant. (estimated at 3.5 rpm) while maintaining smooth rotation.
The most common method of measuring bearing rolling 4. Torque-set. Should not be used if there is an unbalanced
torque is with a torque wrench. Sometimes a socket can be load (created, for example, by heavy parts, clutch plates or
used, which fits over a nut on the end of the shaft or, if this is caliper brakes); this would cause the torque to vary during
not possible, a special adapter can be made that fits the end rotation.
of the shaft. In cases where the housing can be rotated, the 5. For field servicing, the torque-set method should not
be used to reapply previously operated (e.g., run-in)
torque wrench is adapted to the housing to measure rolling bearings; a new set of bearings or alternate technique
torque. must be used.
If a torque wrench cannot be used, a spring scale may be
substituted to measure bearing rolling torque. Using a string Typical torque-set applications. Torque-set has been
wound around a gear or wheel and a scale, record the pull used successfully on various industrial and automotive ap-
force needed to keep the assembly turning. Rolling torque plications. Typical applications include pinion and differen-
is calculated by multiplying the radius of the gear or wheel tial shafts, transmission shafts, and gearbox shafts.
around which the string has been wound by the pull force. Advantages of torque-set:
This step could be avoided by a shim chart, which indicates • Usually, no special fixtures or tooling are required; a
pull force vs. shim pack size. torque wrench or simple spring scale and cord are all that
When measuring bearing rolling torque, turn the shaft as are needed.
slowly as possible while maintaining smooth rotation. • No shim gap measurements are required; the shim pack is
simply changed to obtain the correct setting.
Special Torque-Set considerations:
• This method is useful in equipment where manual
1. Ability to measure rolling torque. The design must lend methods are physically impractical or difficult. However, it
itself to measuring the rolling torque of the bearings. may not be practical in very large equipment.
Where other components such as seals, piston rings, etc.
contribute to the torque, provisions must be made to • Torque-set can be applied to field servicing when new
recognize and isolate these torque values from the bearing bearings are installed.
rolling torque. An example would be to record the drag
torque of a shaft and seal in an end-play condition, then Mounting Designs and Setting Devices
“add-on” the required bearing rolling torque for the pre- Tapered roller bearings can be mounted in various configu-
load condition. rations, and there are a variety of devices available to set the
2. Ability to “reseat” tight-fitted members. When tight-fitted bearings to the desired end-play or pre-load in an applica-
members are used for bearing adjustment, provisions
must be made to “re-seat” or back-press that member after tion.
the torque-set load has been applied and the final shim Cone-setting devices. In an indirect mounting, generally
pack determined. one cone is backed against a fixed shoulder while the other
3. Bearing rolling torque is influenced by rotational speed cone is movable and backed by some setting device.
and applied lubrication. These should be kept constant A slotted nut (Fig. 20) can be used for obtaining the bearing
setting. The nut is locked in place with a cotter pin. Both the
nut and washer should be of sufficient size to give adequate
backing to the cone. Two cotter pin holes in the shaft, spaced
90° apart, are used to obtain twice as many locking-positions-
per-revolution of the nut, and a corresponding, closer bear-
ing setting. A locknut, tongued washer, and lock-washer can
be used instead of a slotted nut (Fig. 21). (See the Auxiliary
Parts in the Tapered Roller Bearing Guide for other locknut
arrangements.)

Figure 20 Slotted Nut Figure 21 Locknut

Figure 19 Worm Gear Reducer

46 Power Transmission Engineering SEPTEMBER 2015 WWW.POWERTRANSMISSION.COM ]————

 A stake nut (Fig. 22) can be used for setting the bearings; A TDI-type bearing with a cup spacer (Fig. 27) is supplied
and peening the thin section into a keyway slot locks it in with the cup spacer providing a specific, fixed internal set-
place. ting. The bearing is clamped by a cup follower through the
The setting in Figure 23 is obtained with shims and an end- cups and spacer against the housing shoulder. No further
plate held in place by cap screws in the end of the shaft. A slot setup provision is required.
may be provided in the end-plate to measure the shim gap.
Summary
The fact that tapered roller bearings can be set is an advan-
tage over other types of bearings. Manual setting has been
considered an acceptable approach by many manufacturers
and will continue to be used. The trend, however, is toward
automated bearing setting procedures because of cost and
more exacting performance requirements.
The selection of an automated bearing setting technique is
best made early in the design stage.
But, if the equipment is already designed and built, one or
Figure 22 Stake Nut Figure 23 End Plate possibly a combination of setting techniques could be incor-
porated to improve setting reliability and reduce assembly
A TDO-type bearing with cone spacer, above the centerline time.
(Fig. 24) and a TNA-type bearing, below centerline, are man- For more information:
ufactured with a fixed internal setting built into the bearing. Timken
The TDO-type bearing is shown assembled on the shaft with a David Novak
Phone: (864) 250-9725
cone spacer and clamped against a shoulder by an end-plate. david.novak@timken.com
The TNA-type bearing is assembled on the shaft with the cones
butted together and similarly clamped against the shoulder.
No further set-up provision is required in either case.
Cup-setting devices. In a direct mounting, generally one
cup is backed against a fixed shoulder, with the movable cup
positioned by some satisfactory setting device.
A cup carrier (Fig. 25, above centerline) and cup follower
(below centerline) use shims for setting, and the carrier or
follower is held in place by cap-screws.
Bearings can be set by the use of a selected cup spacer with
the end-plate secured to the housing by cap-screws (Fig. 26).

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Figure 24 TDO and TDA Figure 25 Cup Carrier and Cup

Follower

Figure 26 Selected Cup Spacer Figure 27 TDI

SEPTEMBER 2015 Power Transmission Engineering 47