Even though screws and bushings are small, they play a significant role in the functionality of components and machines. Without proper care, adjustment screws can wear out or become misaligned while bushings can get friction-related damage or material degradation.

Learn about how to enhance the longevity of your components and optimize the overall performance of your machines with our guide to maintaining adjustment screws and bushings.

Maintenance Tips for Adjustment Screws

Kozak is a trusted manufacturer of metric fine adjustment screws and bushings. To help you enhance the functionality and durability of your adjustment screws, we put together four key tips:

• Conduct regular cleaning – Prevent dirt, dust, and other forms of debris from accumulating by regularly cleaning your adjustment screws. Believe it or not, dust and debris can cause wear and tear on your screws. When cleaning, be sure to use cleaners that are compatible with the material of your screws and avoid anything that might cause corrosion.
• Lubricate – Apply lubricants to reduce friction and wear, but be careful about over-applying, though. Too much lubricant can attract dust and debris, which causes more harm than good. Typically, you would want to lubricate your adjustment screws every 3-6 months, but this depends on the usage and environment of your application.
• Inspect and align – Check for any signs of wear or physical damage, like threads wearing down. This is also a good time to check for the turnability of your adjustment screws. If they are stuck, inspect for damage or debris that might be obstructing the threads.
• Protect from the environment – Take measures against corrosion like applying corrosion-resistant materials or coatings. Additionally, avoid extreme temperatures that can cause the screws to contract or become brittle. 

Care Tips for Bushings

There is some overlap between maintenance for adjustment screws and that of bushings, but some elements are a little bit different. Here are our suggestions for promoting longevity for your bushings:

• Practice regular care – Remove dirt and dust using a non-fibrous soft cloth, or a proxy-brush and appropriate cleaner to avoid scratching and damaging the bushing surface.
• Apply lubrication – Lubricate your bushings to reduce friction. If your application involves exposure to water or solvents, it is especially important to reapply the lubricant to take some of the friction away.
• Inspect and replace – Take note of wear, cracks, and deformations and replace worn or damaged bushings to prevent problems with the rest of your components. It is best to conduct these check-ins every 3-6 months.
• Follow proper installation instructions – Ensure that all bushings are installed correctly to avoid unnecessary stress and wear. Proper alignment will also prevent uneven wear on your bushing components, so be sure to check that your bushings are properly aligned. Then, use appropriate tools to install the bushings to avoid misalignment.
• Stay aware of the environment – Keep bushings away from chemicals, solvents, and environments that can degrade the material. Additionally, it is important to keep bushings away from high temperatures and humidity that can impact the integrity and performance of the bushing.

Contact Us for More Information on Bushings and Adjustment Screws

By following best practices for adjustment screw and bushing maintenance, you will optimize the uptime of your machines and minimize repair costs. For more information on our lubrication or adjustment screws and bushings, be sure to contact us today.