The most common defects in bearings can occur for several reasons, either by higher loads than expected, inefficient seals Gates B79, inadequate adjustments etc. Each of the factors causes a specific type of failure. By the analysis of the bearings, it is possible to discover the causes and take the corrective actions, where the causes of rolling failures vary greatly according to the different industrial segments. The period until the first sign of material fatigue appears on the bearing is a function of the number of revolutions, magnitude of load, lubrication and cleaning.

Fatigue is the result of cyclic stresses that appear readily below the charged surface. After some time these tensions cause micro cracks that gradually evolve until reaching the surface. The initial peeling is usually small. However, larger stresses in combination with the fragments loaded by the lubricant cause the evolution of the stripping area. Of all bearings that fail, one-third ends up in natural fatigue, one-third due to lubrication failure and the remainder due to contamination that penetrates the bearing or improper handling (improper assembly).