Replacing a bearing is easy when you have the old one: read the number and order the same. Choosing one for a new design or a changed duty takes a few more questions.
1. What load does it carry?
- Mostly radial, light to medium: deep groove ball bearing .
- Heavy radial: cylindrical roller or spherical roller bearing .
- Radial and axial together: angular contact or tapered roller bearing .
- Axial only: thrust ball or spherical roller thrust bearing .
- Tilting or oscillating movement: radial spherical plain bearing (GE series).
2. How fast does it turn?
Ball bearings handle higher speeds than roller bearings of the same size. Metal shields (ZZ) run cooler at speed than rubber seals (2RS).
3. Where does it work?
- Dust or water: sealed (2RS) bearings, or stainless steel for washdown.
- High temperature: heat resistant bearings with special grease, or C3 clearance.
- Misaligned or flexing shafts: self-aligning ball or spherical roller bearings.
- Tight space: thin section or needle roller bearings.
- Shaft mounted in a housing: insert bearings (UC series).
Then check the size
Bore (shaft diameter), outside diameter and width, in millimetres. With those three numbers and the answers above, we can recommend a bearing and give you a price.
