32234-DF bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 32234-DF is a ISO 355 radial bearing sized 170 x 310 x 182 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 170 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 310 mm |
| Width B | 182 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 1843 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 3250 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 300 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 1200 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 2000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 59500 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 32234/DF |
| Standard | ISO 355 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.3-8.8 TRB variants |
| Last verified | 2026-09-29 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.3-8.8 TRB variants) · extracted 2026-09-29
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.3-8.8 TRB variants); SKF® and SKF Explorer® are trademarks of AB SKF, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized SKF distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at skf.com.
Dimensions in inches & matched-df-series range
| Bore d | 6.693 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 12.205 in |
| Width B | 7.165 in |
| ISO bore code | 34 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 70 mm |
| Smallest bore in matched-df-series | 25 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in matched-df-series | 540 mm |
| Width range across matched-df-series | 34.5–280 mm |
| Bore position in matched-df-series (smallest first) | 24 of 35 |
| Bore above smallest matched-df-series size | 145 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32234 | ISO 15 | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; brand-specific OEM equivalents (NSK/FAG/NTN) pending multi-source data. |
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 32234-DF model number is decoded
Journal and housing interface: the 170 mm bore takes a m6 shaft seat and the 310 mm outside diameter pairs with an H7 housing bore; the 182 mm width defines shoulder depth and the 59500 g mass is the dead load in thermal-growth calculations. Mounting order matters for 32234-DF: seat the first bearing, fit the ground spacer, then the second bearing, and clamp axially as a unit — the 182 mm catalogue width is the assembled result and the gauge for correct assembly. Clamp the assembled pair axially through the cones — never through the rollers — and verify the 182 mm overall width against the catalogue value before final torquing of the shaft nut.32234-DF (SKF 32234/DF) is the face-to-face (X) matched pair matched-set choice for a 170 mm shaft: a pair of tapered roller bearings whose combined envelope is 310×182 mm, delivered ready to mount with controlled internal clearance.The code breaks down as base bearing 32234 plus matched-set suffix /DF: two bearings of the 170 mm bore size, paired face-to-face (X) matched pair, with the 182 mm overall width spanning the whole arrangement. In the face-to-face (X) arrangement the load lines of the two bearings converge toward the shaft axis: the set tolerates shaft deflection and thermal growth better than a back-to-back pair, but is less stiff against overturning moments. The 182 mm overall width of 32234-DF is the axial space the pair occupies. Dividing the pair C 1843 kN by the 170 mm bore gives 10.84 kN per millimetre of journal for the complete arrangement — a density metric that compares matched sets across the face-to-face (X) matched pair family.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- wind-turbine main shafts
- marine propulsion gearboxes
- large industrial mixer shafts
- marine propulsion gearboxes
Known failure patterns
- axial overload spalling at the roller-rib contact beyond the single-row thrust rating
- uneven load sharing in a pair when spacer faces are not parallel to the bore
- pressed-steel cage wear or fracture after prolonged running above the limiting speed
- rolling-contact fatigue spalling after the rated L10 life is exceeded
- mounting score marks when the cone is cocked over the shaft keyway or a burr
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Replace 32234-DF as a complete set: pairing a new bearing with a worn partner leaves the clearance undefined even when the designation matches.
- Clamp the 32234-DF pair axially through the cones, never through the rollers; pressing force across the roller complement brinells the raceways of both bearings at once.
- A matched /DF set is ground as one system: never separate the two bearings of 32234-DF or swap the spacer — the factory clearance is lost the moment the set is broken.
- The 1843/3250 kN ratings are SKF catalogue 17000 values for this execution; SKF can revise internal geometry without changing the order number, so keep the catalogue version (PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN, 2018) with the specification.
- Quote the full SKF 32234/DF designation when purchasing — base-number-only orders are ambiguous across executions and variants.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions and catalogue data of 32234-DF?
The SKF 32234/DF is a matched pair of single-row tapered roller bearings in face-to-face (X) matched pair arrangement with 170 mm bore, 310 mm outer diameter and 182 mm overall width (6.693 × 12.205 × 7.165 in). From SKF catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000: basic dynamic load rating C 1843 kN, C0 3250 kN, fatigue load limit Pu 300 kN, reference speed 1,200 r/min, limiting speed 2,000 r/min, mass about 59.50 kg.
What does the /DF suffix on 32234-DF mean?
The base 32234 is the ISO 355 single-row bearing; the /DF suffix marks the matched-set execution — the arrangement (face-to-face (X)), the ground spacer and the factory-set axial clearance class. A matched set cannot be assembled from loose single bearings; quote the full designation when ordering.
Are the C and C0 ratings of 32234-DF for one bearing or the pair?
They are for the complete matched pair: C 1843 kN dynamic and C0 3250 kN static already include load sharing between the two bearings. Do not halve them for single-bearing checks, and do not compare them directly with the single-row 32234 table values.
Can 32234-DF be adjusted like two loose tapered bearings?
No — the axial clearance is set at the factory by selective spacer grinding. Mounting work is limited to clean seats, correct fits (m6 on a rotating 170 mm shaft) and axial clamping through the cones; re-setting in the field destroys the matched clearance class.
When should a face-to-face (X) matched set be chosen?
Choose the face-to-face (X) set where the shaft grows thermally or alignment is imperfect — the converging load lines tolerate deflection. It is the default choice for wheel hubs and general gearbox shafts at the 170 mm bore.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018), ch. 8.3-8.8 TRB variants on 2026-09-29. Read our editorial & correction policy.