Wave springs are attractive in bearing preload systems because they deliver force in limited axial space, but the final preload is defined by the entire tolerance chain. Housing depth, bearing width, shoulder position, ring seating, and assembly compression all shift the installed working point.
A common design error is to select a nominal spring force and assume preload will match that value in production. In reality, the spring curve intersects a distribution of assembly heights, not a single dimension. That means preload should be reviewed as a range across manufacturing tolerance, not as one ideal number.
The target preload also has to be balanced against friction torque, thermal growth, and bearing life. Too little preload can produce noise or axial looseness; too much preload can increase heat generation and shorten system life. The wave spring is only one part of the preload system, not the whole system.
For repeatable production, drawings should define compressed height window, seat condition, surface quality, and any orientation constraint. Validation is strongest when dimensional stack review and measured preload test are linked before release.