Abstract: A method and system for determining the lubricational condition of an operating rolling element bearing utilizing a shock pulse measuring technique. A schedule of occurring shock pulses and lubricant film parameters for a running rolling element control bearing is established. The magnitude of occurring shocks within the operating bearing is determined and the lubricational condition of the operating bearing determined with reference to the established schedule. A programed shock pulse measuring instrument provides direct output of information relative to the lubricational condition of an operating bearing.