The shaft deflection is one of critical factors that deteriorate the grease lubrication state inside the tapered roller bearings (TRBs). So, in this paper, on the premise of the TRB subjected to the combined loads and the shaft is deflected, the grease lubrication model at the TRB contacts was constructed, in which the interaction loads, linear and angular displacements of the bearing parts were involved. Then the grease film characteristics were numerically analyzed from the perspective of the whole bearing to clarify the negative effects of the shaft deflection on grease film characterizes. The results show that the effect of the shaft deflection on the load distribution in the absence of the radial load is greater than that in the presence of the radial load. The angular misalignment of the roller is mainly affected by the deflection. The deflection results in an irregular film shape and pressure profile at the TRB contacts, and induces a significant pressure spike and necking feature at the roller-end.

The elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model of angular contact ball bearings (ACBB) with local defects under spin condition is established. The local defect surface profile is characterised. On this basis, the modified quasi‐static model of ACBB with local defects is proposed. Then, the comprehensive stiffness model of ACBB with local defect under EHL is built, and the influence of different factors on the mechanical characteristics of ACBB with local defect is investigated. The results show that with the increase of the local defect size, the equivalent contact stiffness of the defect area decreases, and the contact load in non‐defect area increases. Considering EHL, the contact deformation of bearing decreases, the contact load and equivalent comprehensive stiffness increases obviously. The axial contact angle of the defect area largely determines the equivalent comprehensive stiffness of the roller at the defect.

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