Though there is not much to an engine bearing at first glance, it is a true marvel of engineering. All Engine Bearings depend on a film of oil, to keep shafts and bearing surfaces separated:
- At rest, the shaft and bearing, are always in contact.
- On startup, the shaft, contacts the bearing briefly.
- Running, the shaft pulls oil from the clearance space, into the wedge shaped area, between the shaft and bearing.