AXW45 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The AXW45 is a ISO 3031 radial bearing sized 45 x 68 x 4.2 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 45 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 68 mm |
| Width B | 4.2 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 27 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 127 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 15.3 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 2600 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 5300 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 43 g |
| Manufacturer designation | AXW 45 |
| Standard | ISO 3031 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 12.2 needle roller thrust bearings with a centring flange |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 12.2 needle roller thrust bearings with a centring flange) · extracted 2026-09-27
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 12.2 needle roller thrust bearings with a centring flange); 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 & AXW-series range
| Bore d | 1.772 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 2.677 in |
| Width B | 0.165 in |
| ISO bore code | — |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 11.5 mm |
| Smallest bore in AXW-series | 10 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in AXW-series | 68 mm |
| Width range across AXW-series | 3.2–4.2 mm |
| Bore position in AXW-series (smallest first) | 9 of 9 |
| Bore above smallest AXW-series size | 35 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
No verified interchange data yet. Send an inquiry and our team will confirm equivalents manually.
How the AXW45 model number is decoded
The flanged thrust bearing AXW 45 combines a 45 mm bore, a 68 mm outer track and a 52 mm centring spigot in one 4.2 mm high unit; the needle contact runs 50–63 mm and the rating is 27 kN dynamic. Reading the code: AXW marks the spigot-flanged needle roller thrust bearing and the figure 45 gives the bore in millimetres; the 68 mm OD and 4.2 mm height follow the series plan, and D1 52 mm is the spigot diameter. The integrated washer carries a 52 mm centring spigot (4 mm flange height) that locates the whole unit in a matching housing register bore — the 45 mm bore clears the shaft and does no radial piloting. One direction only: AXW 45 cannot be reversed to take opposite thrust — mirror a second bearing for reversing shafts, and keep housing and shaft seats square within the ISO 104 tolerances. Mounting: locate the 52 mm spigot in the housing register bore (at least 4 mm deep), pass the 45 mm bore over the shaft without forcing a pilot fit, and fit a separate LS/AS washer or a hardened 58–64 HRC face on the opposite side.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- material-handling swivel joints using the spigot as a built-in housing pilot
- transmission shafts where a one-piece spigot-centred thrust unit replaces a loose cage-and-washer stack at the housing register
- automotive selector and shift mechanisms needing a pre-centred flanged thrust support in a shallow housing bore
- agricultural gear drives assembled through a housing cover, where the spigot keeps the needle set concentric until the cover is bolted
Known failure patterns
- opposing-track scoring when the separate LS/AS washer or hardened 58–64 HRC face is missing or undersized
- roller skidding and raceway glazing once the thrust falls below the catalogue minimum axial load (factor A)
- instant raceway scoring when the assembly runs against a face below 58 HRC or with a rough finish
- rolling-contact fatigue spalling after the catalogue L10 life is exhausted
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At 45 mm, verify the opposite raceway face — the integrated spigot washer supplies one side only; a soft face or missing LS/AS washer on the other ribs within months.
- One-direction thrust: reversing force dumps the needles off the 63 mm outer track — mirror a second spigot-flanged unit where the load reverses.
- The spigot pilots in the housing register, not on the shaft: turning the 45 mm bore into a tight pilot fit, or omitting the 52 mm register bore, defeats the centring function of AXW 45.
- AXW is not an ISO-standardized interchangeable outline for every maker — check the 68×4.2 mm envelope and the 52 mm spigot before cross-brand substitution.
- The 27 kN rating still requires a hardened opposing face: the integrated washer is one raceway only, and the other track is a separate LS/AS washer or a 58–64 HRC machine face.
- The 27/127 kN ratings and 43 g mass are SKF catalogue values transcribed from ch. 12.2 of PUB BU/P1 17000 (PDF table page 912); mounting data — Ea/Eb raceway diameters, the flange register and the load factor — appears in the running text because the structured record carries the boundary envelope only.
Frequently asked questions
Does the AXW 45 run in both axial directions?
No — one direction only. Reversing thrust lifts the needles off the 63 mm outer track; mirror a second spigot-flanged unit for reversing shafts.
What are the common mounting mistakes?
Pressing on the spigot lip, boring no register (or a wrong-size 52 mm register) in the housing, forcing the 45 mm bore into a pilot fit, leaving the opposite face soft, or skipping grease in the 4.2 mm section — each shows up as cage or track damage within hours.
Which dimensions does the AXW 45 have?
A AXW 45 measures 45 mm bore × 68 mm outside diameter × 4.2 mm width (1.772 × 2.677 × 0.165 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: dynamic C 27 kN, static C0 127 kN, fatigue limit Pu 15.3 kN, reference speed 2,600 r/min, limiting speed 5,300 r/min, mass about 43 g. Centring spigot D1 52 mm, spigot height B1 4 mm, contact band Ea 50–63 mm.
What does AXW mean versus AXK?
AXW pairs an AXK needle set with a washer that has an integral centring spigot — the spigot locates in a housing register and keeps the set concentric as one part; AXK is the bare cage needing two separate washers. A separate LS/AS washer or hardened face is still required opposite, and the outline is not multi-brand interchangeable.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 12.2 needle roller thrust bearings with a centring flange on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.