Sleeve Bearing Problems:

Oil Whirl

Figure 2 - Note
Shaft Is
Spinning At
Different Rate
Figure 1 - FFT Resulting From Oil Whirl (0.42-0.48xRPM Peak Indicates Oil Than It Is Rotating
Whirl) Around Bearing
Sleeve.

Oil Whirl Symptoms

 High Radial Vibration at 0.42 - 0.48 x RPM.

Oil Whirl, although unusual, can occur when clearances become excessive. An oil
wedge is formed that is held in place by the rotation of the shaft. The friction of
the shaft against the wedge then pushes the shaft around the housing.
Fortunately (for the analyst), it occurs in a very precise sub-synchronous
frequency range. Note that in the animation above the shaft is rotating at a
different frequency than it is moving around the bearing sleeve.