Is there any reliable way to detect faults in the bearings of a cardan shaft? Would such faults transmit to the nearest bearing, or would there be some other type of coupling-type fault showing?

Mark

One thing I have noticed is there will be an increase in 1x or 2x in the "axial" direction. The 1x or 2x depends on the wear condition. Stiff bearings usually cause 1x. Rich Henry sent me this presentation a while ago. It may help you.

Cardan_Presentation.ppt (904 Kb, 69 downloads)

Hi Mark,

When you have an increase of two times an Multipel of it you should consider changing the cardan.
You measure this on the bearings of the roll or the motor or gearbox.

Klaus

Dok1.doc (36 Kb, 37 downloads) Example

Hi Mark,

Now I was to fast. Check also for sidebands 2xrpm at the gearmeash. The vibration level is low (max. 0.5mm/s). Important is the pattern. In the example case one cardan-joint was brocken after another week.

Klaus