There are many reasons why ball screws fail. Let’s go over the more popular ones.
Ball screws can fail for many reasons
- Lack of Lubrication – proper lubrication will help even out the heat and help reduce overall wear of the components (metal-to-metal).
- Dirt/Debris in the ball nut paths – this build up can prevent it from rotating freely.
- Misalignment of the ball nut to screw – which results in side loading or eccentric loading. The ball nut must only experience axial loading
- Excessive Speed – exceeding the critical speed can lead to pickup fingers breaking which will allow the ball bearings to completely separate from the nut.
Ball screw failure warning signs
If your ball screw shows signs of pitting or corrosion from contaminants, it is deteriorating. If it shows signs of heat discoloration and operates roughly (wobbles, chatters, growls, etc.), it is likely inadequately lubricated, misaligned and/or has worn/damaged bearings.
If the ball screw suffers from excessive vibration, it likely has a bent screw shaft or misaligned bearing housings. If it is making a “clicking” sound, it is generally a sign of excessive build-up, or a broken/dented return tube. If the ball screw shows a loss of positioning accuracy, it is likely due to wear, contamination or endplay in the support bearings. If it displays excessive power draw, it likely has an excessive preload, ball recirculation problems or inadequate lubrication.
DO YOU HAVE A BALL SCREW OR OR SPINDLE THAT IS BROKEN SO BAD THAT YOU DON’T KNOW IF IT CAN BE SAVED?
– Ship it to us and we’ll in turn give you a free evaluation.
Emergency Services – Available 24/7
Standard Lead Times are 2 weeks for Repair. 2-8 Weeks for New Ball Screws if we do not have units in stock.
We have a dedicated staff available 24/7 to assist you with emergency ball screw repair services.
Please contact us directly at (734) 261-8600 to speak directly with our staff to answer any questions you have.