How to Fix Excessive Shaft-to-Bushing Clearance

When clearance becomes a problem

In rotating machinery, when the fit clearance between shaft and bronze bushing exceeds 30–40% of the original design value, you can expect vibration, temperature rise, leakage and eventually seizure. Industry data suggests that for every 0.05 mm of extra clearance, bearing life drops by roughly 15%.

Four repair routes

1. Replace with a new bushing — the cleanest solution when the housing is intact. Machine the new bushing to the original fit class.
2. Re-sleeving (insert lining) — used in over half of metallurgy, marine and injection-moulding repairs; moderate cost, short downtime.
3. Built-up welding + machining — for large housings where a new part is expensive or slow.
4. Adjustable eccentric bushings — for shafts where re-aligning the bore axis solves the wear pattern.

Which route for you?

Send us the housing bore, shaft diameter and the measured clearance — we will recommend the fit, the alloy and the repair method, and quote a machined replacement in one working day.