NK43-30-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 NK43-30-XL model number is decoded

envelope 43×53×30 mm: 43 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 45.5 kN and C0 85 kN at the 43 mm seat; the C/C0 ratio of 0.54 is characteristic of a needle bearing — high static rating relative to dynamic in a compact 53 mm outside diameter the fatigue load limit Cur is 16.1 kN, the limiting speed 10,700 r/min and the thermal reference speed 6,300 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 1.06 kN/mm and per millimetre of width 1.52 kN/mm — the reason 30 mm-wide needle bearings routinely replace much larger ball or roller positions mass is 133 g, just 0.08 g per mm² of projected 53×30 mm envelope, which keeps unbalanced forces low in fast-actuating linkages at 43 mm bore this is a mainstream industrial size — conveyor drives, winches and medium gearboxes use the 30 mm width as a standard mounting space The thin 5.0 mm section makes the 133 g bearing sensitive to seat geometry — a tapered or lobed journal preloads part of the needle set and shows up as local pitting Omitting the inner ring frees radial space — at a 43 mm shaft the outer diameter is only 53 mm and the width 30 mm, yet C is 45.5 kN As an X-life (-XL) bearing it benefits from the optimised surface finish that reduces friction and raises the fatigue strength behind the 16.1 kN Cur value. Typical applications include motorcycle and light-vehicle transmissions, connecting-rod small ends and two-stroke and compressor piston pins, where the 53 mm outside diameter and 45.5 kN dynamic rating match the duty. In motorcycle and light-vehicle transmissions the unit fits a compact 43 mm seat, and in connecting-rod small ends the 133 g mass keeps unbalanced forces low in fast linkages. Designers also specify it for two-stroke and compressor piston pins, relying on the 30 mm width and the published 85 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. Needle bearings are pure-radial units — any thrust must be taken by separate washers or an adjacent bearing, especially on flangeless RNAO/NAO.

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.
• Needle bearings are pure-radial units — any thrust must be taken by separate washers or an adjacent bearing, especially on flangeless RNAO/NAO.
• Do not press an RNA/NK assembly in through the outer ring when mounting it on a shaft, and vice versa — rolling forces through the wrong ring bruises the raceways.