What is the effect of excessive bearing clearances on alignment?

Excessive bearing clearances can lead to misalignment because it allows for too much movement between the components. When bearings have wider clearances than specified, the shafts and housings are not held in precise alignment, and this can result in variations in the positioning of the rotating elements. As the machinery operates, these excessive tolerances can lead to shifting or vibration, which further exacerbates alignment issues.

When components are not properly aligned, it can lead to increased wear and tear on both the bearings and the machinery as a whole due to uneven forces being applied. This misalignment can generate noise, reduce efficiency, and ultimately impact the longevity of the equipment. Therefore, maintaining proper bearing clearances is critical to ensuring that the machinery operates smoothly and is correctly aligned.