PDA

View Full Version : Ballsscrew support help



andy_con
13-05-2026, 09:47 AM
So I had a bearing starting to make a noise on the Y so rather than leave it, I got onto it and change both bearings.

But something isn't right as the new ones make a horrible grinding/squeeking noise from day one with zero hours use on them. I assumed I had put things back wrong.

Got some new bearings, took things to bits and replaced them again, making sure I didn't damage anything and putting everything back correctly.

But again from day one they are making the same horrible grinding/squeezing noise.

Is there some special method of installing bearings or ball screw support that im not aware of? Im clearly doing something wrong

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/8844/SjFuXl.jpg

routercnc
13-05-2026, 03:42 PM
So I had a bearing starting to make a noise on the Y so rather than leave it, I got onto it and change both bearings.

But something isn't right as the new ones make a horrible grinding/squeeking noise from day one with zero hours use on them. I assumed I had put things back wrong.

Got some new bearings, took things to bits and replaced them again, making sure I didn't damage anything and putting everything back correctly.

But again from day one they are making the same horrible grinding/squeezing noise.

Is there some special method of installing bearings or ball screw support that im not aware of? Im clearly doing something wrong

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/8844/SjFuXl.jpg

Does it vary with speed? Steppers can emit squealing noises at different speeds (usually low speeds) and this travels down the ballscrew and can sound like it is coming from the bearings. Steppers are driven by pulses so this can happen as a result. Do you have a recording you can upload?

routercnc
13-05-2026, 03:48 PM
Suppliers put different bearing in, sometimes standard, sometimes deep groove, so it’s possible they have put the cheapest they could find . Are they noisy when you spin them in your hand (before installing)? You can feel poor quality as a first pass. If not then back to the steppers. Are you microstepping? This can make them run smoother at the expense of some loss of torque. Vary the microsteps and try again. Depending how it is defined in the units on the driver case 1600 is a fair start point

m_c
13-05-2026, 07:38 PM
If it wasn't making a noise originally, then it's unlikely to be anything stepper related.

Now don't take offense at the following questions, but I like to cover the basics.
What bearings did you fit?
Support block should be two angular contact 7xxx series bearings, not standard deep groove 6000 series.
And did you fit the bearings the correct way around, with outers races opposing/inner races facing?
And did you adjust the preload correctly?