RNAO15X23X13-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 RNAO15X23X13-XL model number is decoded

envelope 15×23×13 mm: 15 mm seat is the hardened and ground shaft journal itself — there is no inner ring, with a thin 4.0 mm radial section packed with small-diameter needle rollers C is 9.7 kN and C0 10.9 kN at the 15 mm seat; the C/C0 ratio of 0.89 is characteristic of a needle bearing — high static rating relative to dynamic in a compact 23 mm outside diameter the fatigue load limit Cur is 1.79 kN, the limiting speed 24,300 r/min and the thermal reference speed 17,900 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 0.65 kN/mm and per millimetre of width 0.75 kN/mm — the reason 13 mm-wide needle bearings routinely replace much larger ball or roller positions mass is 20 g, just 0.07 g per mm² of projected 23×13 mm envelope, which keeps unbalanced forces low in fast-actuating linkages with a 15 mm bore the 13 mm width and 9.7 kN C rating suit high-cycle industrial machinery rather than instrument duty Reading RNAO: O denotes the ribless (open-sided) race design; the single roller row runs directly between ground shaft and housing bore Cur 1.79 kN and speeds up to 24,300 r/min suit planetary gears, connecting rods and pump eccentrics where space is dictated by the shaft diameter 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 15×23×13 mm envelope. Typical applications include motorcycle and light-vehicle transmissions, connecting-rod small ends and two-stroke and compressor piston pins, where the 23 mm outside diameter and 9.7 kN dynamic rating match the duty. In motorcycle and light-vehicle transmissions the unit fits a compact 15 mm seat, and in connecting-rod small ends the 20 g mass keeps unbalanced forces low in fast linkages. Designers also specify it for two-stroke and compressor piston pins, relying on the 13 mm width and the published 10.9 kN static rating. Open ends draw contamination directly onto the needles; specify sealed or shielded positions in dusty environments rather than relying on grease alone. 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.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Open ends draw contamination directly onto the needles; specify sealed or shielded positions in dusty environments rather than relying on grease alone.
• 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.
• Needle bearings are pure-radial units — any thrust must be taken by separate washers or an adjacent bearing, especially on flangeless RNAO/NAO.