Important dimension checks for rotating machinery

When installing rolling element bearings

When installing mechanical seals

Dimension Tolerance Effect How to measure

Shaft/sleeve diameter 0.03 mm Outside micrometer
Or + 0.00 mm
- 0.05 mm
Stuffing box bore 0.13 Inside micrometer
(inner diameter ) and
depth
Axial shaft movement 0.25 mm TIR Spring overloading or Install a dial indicator
(endplay ) underloading with the stem bearing
Pitting ,fretting or at shaft shoulder and
secondary seal tap the shaft on one
surface damage ,wear end then the other
between the shaft with a mallet
and the shaft seal ( O
RING ),
Radial shaft 0.05 mm TIR Fretting of the shaft With the dial
movement or the sleeve indicator stem
( lift check) Damage of the bearing on the shaft
primary seal surface outside diameter
Excessive vibration (close to the seal
housing face ) , lift the
shaft from the
impeller end and
record the reading
Shaft runout 0.07 mm TIR Countless effects With dial indicator at
three locations min.
Stuffing box face 0.13 mm TIR With a dial indicator
runout ( not mounted on the shaft
perpendicular to the and its stem bearing
shaft ) on the stuffing box
face and rotation
Alignment check
Stuffing box bore 0.13 mm TIR With the dial
concentricity indicator mounted on
the shaft and its stem
bearing on the
stuffing box inner
diameter and rotation