The method proposed in the article for calculating the parameters of shock pulses generated in rolling bearings when local defects occur is a development of research in the scientific direction of vibration-pulse diagnostics in relation to the operational assessment of the technical condition of rolling bearings of transmission units of mobile vehicles operating under variable load-speed conditions. An example of calculating the parameters of the shock pulse in ball radial single-row bearings of the 307 series is given, when the rolling body passes through a rectangular defect on the outer raceway.