RNA6917-ZW-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 RNA6917-ZW-XL model number is decoded

envelope 100×120×63 mm: 100 mm seat is the hardened and ground shaft journal itself — there is no inner ring, with a thin 10.0 mm radial section packed with small-diameter needle rollers C is 188 kN and C0 400 kN at the 100 mm seat; the C/C0 ratio of 0.47 is characteristic of a needle bearing — high static rating relative to dynamic in a compact 120 mm outside diameter the fatigue load limit Cur is 72 kN, the limiting speed 4,600 r/min and the thermal reference speed 2,850 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 1.88 kN/mm and per millimetre of width 2.98 kN/mm — the reason 63 mm-wide needle bearings routinely replace much larger ball or roller positions mass is 1.2 kg (1200 g), just 0.16 g per mm² of projected 120×63 mm envelope, which keeps unbalanced forces low in fast-actuating linkages the 100 mm bore belongs to the large band, where HR1 full-complement and track-roller designs deliver their highest kilonewton ratings in slow, heavily loaded machinery Reading the RNA69 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 The thin 10.0 mm section makes the 1200 g bearing sensitive to seat geometry — a tapered or lobed journal preloads part of the needle set and shows up as local pitting -XL means this is an X-life bearing — Schaeffler's upgraded performance level with smoother raceways, so the 188 kN C rating and longer nominal life come without an envelope change. The -ZW double-row pack explains the high C0 of 400 kN in this thin-section bearing — two rows support the static peak that a single row could not. Typical applications include textile machine heald and cam shafts, agricultural machine pivots and linkages and connecting-rod small ends, where the 120 mm outside diameter and 188 kN dynamic rating match the duty. In textile machine heald and cam shafts the unit fits a compact 100 mm seat, and in agricultural machine pivots and linkages the 1.2 kg mass is part of the rotor inertia calculation. Designers also specify it for connecting-rod small ends, relying on the 63 mm width and the published 400 kN static rating. Needle bearings are pure-radial units — any thrust must be taken by separate washers or an adjacent bearing, especially on flangeless RNAO/NAO. Keep the specified radial clearance; an oversized shaft or heavy interference removes it and the needles bind hot immediately.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Needle bearings are pure-radial units — any thrust must be taken by separate washers or an adjacent bearing, especially on flangeless RNAO/NAO.
• Keep the specified radial clearance; an oversized shaft or heavy interference removes it and the needles bind hot immediately.
• 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.