So I removed the front hub, outer taper roller bearing as there was something clicking in that area.
Cleaned it using my favourite cleaner - petrol with a bit of diesel added.
Bearing looks OK - no picks or scores.
Blow it out with the air-line and think what a nice whistling noise it's making as as it rotates between my finger and thumb.
Bearing spins faster and faster - more and more noise - little things please little minds etc.
"Frick me" I think "that must be turning at a good few thousand revs".
Suddenly without warning the whole lot explodes showering the rollers and inner all over the place and damn near taking my fingers off.
Fortunately I was wearing thick PVC gloves so only slight bruising.
So the question is - was the bearing defective or because the rollers weren't contained by the race was it my own stupid fault?
Answers on a postcard.......
Cheers, Pewe10

Think you have answered your own questions

Using the airline will have spun the bearing at a much higher rpm than it was designed for. Taper bearings of this sort are designed for low speed high load applications ie a wheel bearing
The cage is only there to keep the rollers separated at the correct spacing, the outer retains them.
You should never run a bearing "dry" even at low rpm.

At least you haven't been badly hurt.

Of the two choices, definitely the latter

quote:

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was it my own stupid fault?

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Bet you can't guess where my vote is?

At least you;ve still got all your pinkies though, I think they say "lesson learned"

Bearing + airline = good game.......................... Done it several times but obviously been very lucky so far

Neil

Ah yes, the Bearing Races! We used to get bearings and race them across the yard. Big bearings would howl once up to speed and when you drop them, they do a bi of a dance and then feck-off really quickly! Nightshifts saw big sparky rooster tails. As an alternative to bearings, spin a nut on a Phillips screwdriver shaft and then let it slie of onto the floor. Spinning nuts can be a bit more unpredictable as they can jump up and knock your teeth out. A 2" nut is a bit of a handfull.
All of the aforementioned is fool-hardy and dangerous and not recommended.

got the t shirt, and the bruises

Just like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBX_8Y1o5hU

[Edited on 11/8/13 by dave_424]