9. Preparation of Bearings
9.1 Examine the test bearings carefully and select only bearings that have outer races (cups) and rollers entirely free of corrosion. During the bearing preparation handle the bearings with tongs or rubber or plastic gloves. Do not touch bearings with the fingers at any time.
9.2 Wash the selected bearing thoroughly in hot (52 to 66°C) mineral spirits, reagent grade (Warning - Combustible. Vapor harmful.) to remove the rust preventive. Wipe the bearing cone and cup with tissue moistened in hot solvent to remove any remaining residue. Rinse the bearing a second time in fresh, hot mineral spirits, reagent grade.
NOTE 1 - The washing temperatures specified are considerably above the flash point of the mineral spirits, reagent grade. Accordingly, the washing operation should be carried out in a well-ventilated hood where no flames or other ignition sources are present.
9.3 Transfer the bearing from the mineral spirits, reagent grade to the solvent rinse solution (Warning - Poison. Causes burns. Vapor extremely irritating. Can be fatal if swallowed. Harmful if inhaled.) to remove the mineral spirits, reagent grade and any fingerprints that are present. Then rinse the bearing and slowly rotate in fresh hot (66 more or less 5°C) solvent rinse solution.
NOTE 2 - Use fresh rinse solution to avoid the selective evaporation of the components at the rinse temperature.
9.4 Remove the bearing from the solvent rinse solution and place on filter paper to drain. After draining, dry the bearing in an oven at 70 more or less 5°C for 15 to 30 min.
9.5 Permit the bearing to cool to room temperature and reexamine surfaces to assure that corrosion-free and free-turning specimens have been selected. (Care should be taken not to spin the bearings after cleaning and drying.)
9.6 Wash and dry the bearing packer using the same technique as for the preparation of the bearings.
