Self-Aligning Ball Bearings

Self-aligning ball bearings are recommended for applications where aligning the shaft and housing is difficult or where the shaft may bend, such as transmission shafts. The outer ring has a spherical raceway and its center of curvature coincides with that of the bearing, allowing the axis of the inner ring, balls, and cage to rotate freely around the bearing center. Pressed steel cages are typically used for this type.

Since they have a small contact angle, self-aligning ball bearings have low axial load capacity. Permissible dynamic misalignment is approximately 0.07 to 0.12 radian (4 to 7 degrees) under normal loads; however, such angles may not be allowable depending on the surrounding structure.