NK29-20-TV-XL bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (HR1 2026-09-25) · extracted 2026-09-30

Parameters extracted from the official FAG Rolling Bearings catalogue (HR1 2026-09-25); 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 NK29-20-TV-XL model number is decoded

envelope 29×38×20 mm: 29 mm seat is the hardened and ground shaft journal itself — there is no inner ring, with a thin 4.5 mm radial section packed with small-diameter needle rollers C is 27.5 kN and C0 39 kN at the 29 mm seat; the C/C0 ratio of 0.71 is characteristic of a needle bearing — high static rating relative to dynamic in a compact 38 mm outside diameter the fatigue load limit Cur is 7 kN, the limiting speed 15,300 r/min and the thermal reference speed 8,700 r/min; for small needle bearings the reference speed can exceed the kinematic limit, so the lower of the two governs the application dynamic capacity per millimetre of bore is 0.95 kN/mm and per millimetre of width 1.38 kN/mm — the reason 20 mm-wide needle bearings routinely replace much larger ball or roller positions mass is 50 g, just 0.07 g per mm² of projected 38×20 mm envelope, which keeps unbalanced forces low in fast-actuating linkages with a 29 mm bore the 20 mm width and 27.5 kN C rating suit high-cycle industrial machinery rather than instrument duty With Cur 7 kN and a 15,300 r/min limiting speed the unit suits pivots, rocker arms, pumps and compact gear trains running on hardened pins The hardness requirement is unforgiving: below about 58 HRC the 29 mm journal brinels under the 39 kN static rating, and roughness above raceway finish accelerates roller wear The -XL suffix marks the X-life execution: refined raceway topography and upgraded materials lift the basic ratings versus the non-X-life bearing at the same 29×38×20 mm envelope. Reading -TV: an injection-moulded polyamide cage guides the rolling elements — the lightweight choice that keeps the mass at 50 g in the 38 mm envelope. Typical applications include motorcycle and light-vehicle transmissions, connecting-rod small ends and two-stroke and compressor piston pins, where the 38 mm outside diameter and 27.5 kN dynamic rating match the duty. In motorcycle and light-vehicle transmissions the unit fits a compact 29 mm seat, and in connecting-rod small ends the 50 g mass keeps unbalanced forces low in fast linkages. Designers also specify it for two-stroke and compressor piston pins, relying on the 20 mm width and the published 39 kN static rating. Keep the specified radial clearance; an oversized shaft or heavy interference removes it and the needles bind hot immediately. Open ends draw contamination directly onto the needles; specify sealed or shielded positions in dusty environments rather than relying on grease alone.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Keep the specified radial clearance; an oversized shaft or heavy interference removes it and the needles bind hot immediately.
• Open ends draw contamination directly onto the needles; specify sealed or shielded positions in dusty environments rather than relying on grease alone.
• On reciprocating duty ensure the stroke rotates the full needle set, or brinelling occurs at the same roller positions.