What happens when ball bearings go bad?

Here's what happens when ball bearings fail:

●Warning Noises Intensify
Early stage: Grinding or gritty sound during rotation (contaminated grease).
Progressive failure: Growling/rumbling increases with speed (raceway pitting).
Critical phase: Metallic screeching or knocking (balls skidding on damaged surfaces).

●Vibration Transfers to Machinery
Dented raceways from impacts cause rhythmic shaking felt through handles/frames.
Uneven wear creates imbalance → handlebars wobble, power tools chatter violently.

●Movement Degrades Noticeably
Excessive Play: Rocking wheel side-to-side reveals looseness (worn races/balls undersized).
Binding/Stiffness: Corrosion or dented grooves cause intermittent resistance when spinning by hand.

●Heat Builds Externally
Failed lubrication or overloaded bearings overheat → housing feels hot to touch.
Severe cases emit burning grease smell or smoke near wheels/motors.

●Seal Failure Accelerates Damage
Cracked/dried seals allow water/dirt ingress → grease turns gray slurry.
Visible rust streaks or grease leakage around bearing edges.

●Catastrophic Failure Risks
Wheel Bearings: Sudden seizing locks wheel; excessive play causes tire rub against swingarm.
Steering Bearings: Raceway collapse creates unpredictable handlebar "notches" mid-turn.
Engine Bearings: Shattered balls enter gear train → catastrophic engine destruction.

●Secondary Damage Occurs
Worn motorcycle wheel bearings chew up axle threads.
Industrial pump bearings failing spray metal fragments into hydraulic fluid.