How can you identify shaft misalignment in a running drive?

• A. Uneven belt wear, vibration, unusual bearing temperatures, and belt-edge wear.
• B. Uniform belt wear and no vibration.
• C. No changes in bearing temperature.
• D. Smoother operation with higher efficiency.

Answer: (B)

Misalignment makes the belt and pulleys run off-center, which loads the belt and bearings unevenly as the system runs. The telltale signs are visible and measurable: the belt shows uneven wear and edge wear on one side, the drive tends to vibrate, and bearing temperatures can rise due to the abnormal loading and added friction. When shafts are properly aligned, wear is more uniform, vibration is minimal, and bearing temperatures stay steady. So, looking for uneven belt wear, vibration, bearing temperature changes, and belt-edge wear is how you identify shaft misalignment in a running drive. Conversely, uniform wear with no vibration or temperature change would point to proper alignment, not misalignment.