According to SKF's bearing failure guide, a bearing in good condition runs with a soft, even sound, while grinding, squeaking and irregular sounds mean the bearing is in poor condition or something around it is wrong. On a wheeled container the sound is often the first sign, because the ear picks it up before turning gets heavy and the wheel locks.
- Empty the container and turn the wheel by hand: does it turn freely, does it catch, is there a noise.
- Rock the wheel sideways. Noticeable play means the bearing has worn.
- Look for stretch film, string, tape or hair wrapped around the axle.
- Note which wheel makes the sound, whether the container is empty or loaded, whether the noise is continuous or intermittent and whether it has changed since the last record; if possible take a short audio clip from the same distance.
Washing is a common source of bearing trouble. High-pressure washing can wash the grease out of the bearing and sharply raises the risk of corrosion; liquid that gets in spoils the lubricant and lets rust form on the surfaces, and the result is noise, heat and wear. So do not aim the water jet directly at the wheel bearing.
Wrapped material is cleaned off, and it is the easiest problem to solve and the most often skipped; a monthly look around the axle is enough. For dirt and dryness, cleaning and suitable lubrication work. Where there is play or a rhythmic noise, cleaning gives only temporary relief and the lasting fix is a new part; a locked wheel skews the container, scores the floor and strains whoever pushes it.
After the change, listen again on the same route with the same load; if the sound is gone and stays gone, the job is done. Wheels head the list of wearing parts, so keeping a few spares in proportion to the fleet costs less than leaving a faulty container standing in the yard.
