NK32-30-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 NK32-30-XL model number is decoded

envelope 32×42×30 mm: 32 mm seat is the hardened and ground shaft journal itself — there is no inner ring, with a thin 5.0 mm radial section packed with small-diameter needle rollers C is 39 kN and C0 63 kN at the 32 mm seat; the C/C0 ratio of 0.62 is characteristic of a needle bearing — high static rating relative to dynamic in a compact 42 mm outside diameter the fatigue load limit Cur is 11.9 kN, the limiting speed 14,000 r/min and the thermal reference speed 8,200 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 1.22 kN/mm and per millimetre of width 1.30 kN/mm — the reason 30 mm-wide needle bearings routinely replace much larger ball or roller positions mass is 102 g, just 0.08 g per mm² of projected 42×30 mm envelope, which keeps unbalanced forces low in fast-actuating linkages the 32 mm bore places this bearing in the medium band, where the 42 mm envelope already carries ratings in the tens of kilonewtons NK32/30-XL has no inner ring: the needle rollers run directly on the shaft journal, so the seat must be hardened (58–64 HRC) and ground to bearing raceway quality Reading the NK prefix: a machined (not drawn-cup) outer ring with the needle complement; an inner ring from the IR series can be added later if the shaft cannot be hardened As an X-life (-XL) bearing it benefits from the optimised surface finish that reduces friction and raises the fatigue strength behind the 11.9 kN Cur value. Typical applications include planetary gear bearings, small electric motor accessory drives and gearbox selector and change linkages, where the 42 mm outside diameter and 39 kN dynamic rating match the duty. In planetary gear bearings the unit fits a compact 32 mm seat, and in small electric motor accessory drives the 102 g mass keeps unbalanced forces low in fast linkages. Designers also specify it for gearbox selector and change linkages, relying on the 30 mm width and the published 63 kN static rating. Adding an IR inner ring changes the envelope logic: the same outer assembly then fits a smaller shaft — recheck bore, clearance and ratings when substituting. Without an inner ring the shaft is the raceway: 58–64 HRC and a ground, polished journal are mandatory, not recommendations.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Adding an IR inner ring changes the envelope logic: the same outer assembly then fits a smaller shaft — recheck bore, clearance and ratings when substituting.
• Without an inner ring the shaft is the raceway: 58–64 HRC and a ground, polished journal are mandatory, not recommendations.
• Keep the specified radial clearance; an oversized shaft or heavy interference removes it and the needles bind hot immediately.