Do you need to ensure the size matches when choosing stainless steel ball bearings?

When choosing stainless steel ball bearings, ensuring size matching is absolutely crucial. Here are several core reasons:

Installation feasibility:
The bearing must be able to be smoothly installed into the space reserved for it. If the size is too large, it cannot be installed at all; If the size is too small, it will slip and loosen on the shaft or in the hole, and cannot be fixed.
The outer diameter of the shaft and the inner diameter of the bearing seat (or the diameter of the housing hole) must be precisely matched with the corresponding dimensions of the selected bearing. This is a prerequisite for installation.

Ensure work performance and lifespan:
The correct size matching is the foundation for forming appropriate working clearance (play) in bearings. Excessive clearance and bearing shaking can lead to increased noise and vibration, accelerated wear and even damage; If the clearance is too small (or becomes an interference fit), the internal rolling of the bearing is obstructed, friction and heat generation increase dramatically, which also leads to rapid failure.
Size matching directly affects the bearing's ability to withstand loads (radial and axial forces). Mismatch can lead to uneven load distribution, excessive local stress, and significantly shorten the life of bearings and mating components.

Ensure smooth operation and accuracy:
Size matching is the key to ensuring the concentricity and accuracy of transmission shafts or rotating components. Mismatch can cause eccentric rotation, vibration, and noise, affecting the smooth operation and machining/measurement accuracy of the entire equipment.
For equipment that requires high-precision positioning, such as machine tool spindles, dimensional deviations can directly lead to a decrease in system accuracy.

Avoid additional stress and damage:
Forcefully installing bearings with mismatched dimensions (such as knocking them in with a hammer) can damage the raceway, cage, or sealing ring of the bearing, and even cause the ring to break.
Even if reluctantly installed, continuous dimensional deviations during operation can subject the bearing to unnecessary internal stresses or external constraints, which are common causes of early bearing failure.

Efficiency and cost considerations:
Mismatching sizes can lead to installation difficulties, time-consuming processes, and even require rework, reordering bearings, or machining parts, wasting time and money.
Even if the installation is successful, the performance degradation, shortened lifespan, and potential downtime caused by mismatched bearings will result in higher long-term maintenance and equipment replacement costs.