C3164-M bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The C3164-M is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 320 x 540 x 176 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 320 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 540 mm |
| Width B | 176 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | brass |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 4150 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 6300 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 480 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 900 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 1300 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 164000 g |
| Manufacturer designation | C 3164 M |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings) · extracted 2026-09-27
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings); SKF® and SKF Explorer® are trademarks of AB SKF, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized SKF distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at skf.com.
Dimensions in inches & C3100-series range
| Bore d | 12.598 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 21.26 in |
| Width B | 6.929 in |
| ISO bore code | 64 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 110 mm |
| Smallest bore in C3100-series | 100 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in C3100-series | 1580 mm |
| Width range across C3100-series | 52–462 mm |
| Bore position in C3100-series (smallest first) | 12 of 28 |
| Bore above smallest C3100-series size | 220 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3164-KM | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 320×540×176 mm ISO 15 envelope and equivalent catalogue C/C0; C 3164 KM is the 1:12 tapered-bore K M brass-caged execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only mounting and cage execution differ. |
| 23164 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (320×540×176 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23164 CC/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23164 CC/W33 locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
| 23164-CCK-W33 | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Envelope-identical (320×540×176 mm) SKF spherical roller bearing SKF 23164 CCK/W33 with ratings within 10 % — not a drop-in substitute: SKF 23164 CCK/W33 locates the shaft axially while the CARB bearing must float; the two are designed to run as a locating/non-locating pair. |
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 C3164-M model number is decoded
C 3164 M is a CARB toroidal roller bearing to ISO 15: a single row of long, symmetrical barrel-shaped rollers between guide flanges, sized 320×540×176 mm, as listed in SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000 ch. 10.1. In C 3164 M the 31 dimension series fixes the 540 mm OD and 176 mm width around the 320 mm bore (code 64 × 5); the suffix M then selects the cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, machined brass M cage. The cylindrical 320 mm bore mounts directly on a machined seat; the outer ring takes a loose housing fit so the bearing can float axially. The same size is listed in both bore executions, and the boundary dimensions 320×540×176 mm are identical — only the mounting method changes. Selection arithmetic: C 4150 kN against C0 6300 kN gives a C0/C ratio of 1.52, and the 480 kN fatigue load limit Pu sets the contamination-adjusted life floor. Mounting: slide the bearing onto the 320 mm seat or heat it (max 120 °C) and seat it square; never press through the 176 mm roller set, and leave the free-end housing shoulder clear so axial float is unrestricted.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- heavy industrial gearbox layshafts used as the non-locating position
- winder and reel drums in paper and steel strip plants
- paper machine drying cylinders and calender rolls with long, thermally expanding shafts
- continuous-caster guide rolls and slab-caster segments under heat growth
Known failure patterns
- raceway spalling once the catalogue L10 life is exceeded or after sustained overload
- thermal preloading when a shaft is located at both ends and growth has nowhere to go
- brass cage pocket wear under marginal lubrication in the large-bore M/MB executions
- electrical erosion of raceways on VFD-driven shafts without grounding or insulation
- oil starvation at the sliding contact zones of large spherical roller thrust bearings on forced-feed trips
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Above 200 mm bore these bearings weigh tens of kilograms (164 kg here) — lifting gear and induction heating are mandatory, and a cocked ring scores the toroidal raceway before start-up.
- Never use C 3164 M as the locating bearing: it carries no axial load by design — the arrangement needs a separate locating spherical, tapered or angular bearing facing the thrust.
- Tapered-bore K executions mount on adapter sleeves (1:12) and K30 on withdrawal sleeves (1:30) — the 320 mm bore changes the sleeve family, and the drive-up procedure differs accordingly.
- Reference and limiting speeds are different limits: the 900 r/min reference speed is the thermal criterion under load, the limiting value is the mechanical ceiling; observe the reference under load unless the arrangement calculation says otherwise.
- The quoted 4150/6300 kN ratings belong to this exact execution (C 3164 M); VE240 vibrating-screen variants and sealed 2CS/2NS variants have their own figures even at the same envelope.
- The 4150/6300 kN ratings and 164000 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 10.1 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 864); mounting data — axial displacement (s) and seating details — appears in the running text because the structured record carries the boundary envelope only.
Frequently asked questions
How is the C 3164 M designation read?
C = CARB toroidal family; 31 = dimension series; 64 = 320 mm bore (code 64 × 5); suffix M selects cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, machined brass M cage. K is a 1:12 tapered bore for an adapter sleeve, K30 a 1:30 bore for a withdrawal sleeve.
What is the difference between V and TN9 CARB executions?
V is the full-complement execution with no cage — more rollers, higher C (4150 kN here) but a lower speed ceiling and no thermal reference speed. TN9 is the glass-fibre PA66 caged execution, faster and quieter at somewhat lower load. C 3164 M is the cylindrical bore for direct shaft fitting, machined brass M cage.
How is C 3164 M mounted?
Slide or heat (max 120 °C) the bearing onto the 320 mm seat, give the outer ring a loose housing fit, leave the float travel unobstructed, and never press through the 176 mm roller set.
What are the dimensions and ratings of the C 3164 M?
A C 3164 M measures 320 mm bore × 540 mm outside diameter × 176 mm width (12.598 × 21.26 × 6.929 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 4150 kN, static C0 6300 kN, fatigue limit Pu 480 kN, reference speed 900 r/min, limiting speed 1,300 r/min, mass about 164000 g.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 10.1 CARB toroidal roller bearings on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.