6003-ZZ-FAG bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (HR 1 Rolling Bearings (Jan 2020)) · extracted 2026-09-25

Parameters extracted from the official FAG Rolling Bearings catalogue (HR 1 Rolling Bearings (Jan 2020)); FAG® is a trademark of Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized FAG/Schaeffler distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at schaeffler.com.

Cross references & equivalents

Interchange levels: full standard interchange · partial verify parameters · verify manual confirmation required. Links resolve to the equivalent model's specification page where available.

How the 6003-ZZ-FAG model number is decoded

6003-ZZ carries two non-contact sheet-steel shields that hold the factory grease in and keep coarse debris out; they do not seal against liquids. Within the extra-light 60xx section (diameter series 0 of ISO 15), multiplying bore code 17 by five gives the 17 mm bore; the 35 mm outside diameter and 10 mm width follow the same boundary-dimension plan. For a rotating inner ring on a 17 mm shaft under normal load, catalogue practice seats it on a j5 shaft fit with an H7 housing bore — confirm against the actual load direction and magnitude before committing. Schaeffler HR 1 catalogue order number: 6003-2Z (FAG suffix 2Z), two non-contact steel shields, mapped here from the industry-neutral -ZZ spelling.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Mount this 17 mm bore bearing by heating the inner ring (induction heater, max 120 °C) — never drive it home through the outer ring or balls, that brinells the raceways.
• The 60xx extra-light section at 17 mm bore uses a smaller 35 mm OD than a 6217; load ratings are lower, so do not replace a failed 62-series bearing with a 60-series without re-rating the load.
• ZZ shields are non-contact: 6003-ZZ-FAG blocks chips and coarse dust but is not waterproof — do not install it expecting a pressure-wash seal, step up to 6003-2RS for that.
• Shielded 6003-ZZ-FAG units are typically greased for life; prying the shields out for regreasing usually bends them and leaves a gap that throws grease in service.
• Vibration during standstill brinells the raceways of a 17 mm bearing at ball spacing; if the machine sits idle next to running equipment, turn the shaft over periodically or isolate the arrangement.
• Measure the shaft, do not trust the drawing: a 17 mm nominal journal worn by even 0.02 mm turns an interference seat into a creeping fit that frets the bore of 6003-ZZ-FAG.
• Schaeffler HR 1 lists the shielded version as 6003-2Z — FAG suffix 2Z, two non-contact steel shields. The industry-neutral page spelling is -ZZ; quote the FAG order number when buying through a Schaeffler channel.
• The 26000 r/min mechanical limiting speed puts 6003 at the top of the HR 1 deep-groove speed range (thermal reference speed 20300 r/min); at these speeds cage design and grease shear dominate — run open with oil-mist or air-over-oil lubrication and verify the thermal reference speed for the actual load before committing.
• At 17 mm bore the 6003 sits in Schaeffler's small-bore range; HR 1 ships these sizes with a pressed steel or plastic cage and P0 tolerance as standard — for instrument or spindle accuracy order the P6/P5 variant explicitly, since P0 runout figures will not hold.
• FAG rates 6003 at 6.4 kN dynamic (C) and 3.25 kN static (C0); this light-to-medium rating suits fractional-horsepower drives and instruments — verify the equivalent dynamic load stays well below C for conveying or gearbox duty with shock.
• At only 37 g, 6003 is a lightweight FAG bearing that can be handled by hand; still press it onto the shaft with a sleeve against the inner ring — never through the balls or outer ring.
• The 17×35×10 mm envelope of 6003 gives a D/d ratio of 2.06 and 9.0 mm radial section height — a heavy FAG section for high-load, lower-speed duty; specifying it in a high-rpm motor generates excess heat and shortens grease life, so prefer a 62/63-series there.
• The 6.4/3.25 kN load ratings, mass 37 g here are Schaeffler HR 1 Rolling Bearings (Jan 2020) catalogue figures for 6003-2Z on the 17×35×10 mm ISO 15 envelope; internal geometry and ratings legitimately differ between brands, so re-verify before substituting another manufacturer's 6003 in a rated drive. Where FAG has since released an X-life version of this size, its expanded C/C0 ratings supersede the HR 1 print values quoted here.
• Schaeffler has moved many HR 1 sizes to the X-life generation with higher C/C0 ratings; the designation is unchanged, so a current eKatalog listing for 6003 may quote higher values than the HR 1 print figures on this page — the envelope is identical either way.
• FAG sealed units arrive greased for life with a lithium-soap fill; Schaeffler quotes a shelf life for greased bearings and recommends running stock first-in-first-out rather than re-greasing aged sealed units.