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Bearings for Automotive & Electric Vehicles

Automotive bearings work in high volumes and under cost pressure, with requirements set by the vehicle duty: wheel ends take combined load and shock, transmissions take speed and misalignment, and electric drive units add high speed plus electrical erosion.

16 models listedBore range 10–150 mmFilter in Product Center →

Typical duty

  • Shock and kerb impacts at the wheel end, plus cornering load.
  • High rotational speed in gearboxes and e-drive units, 15,000 rpm and beyond.
  • Wide temperature range with a cold start in winter and hot soak after a climb.
  • Electrical erosion from the inverter on electric drive units.
  • Noise targets that rule out rough or contaminated raceways.

Recommended types & suffixes

Type, reason and the suffix that follows from it
TypeWhy it suits the applicationSuffix guidance
Hub units and tapered pairsWheel ends: combined radial and axial load with a long, sealed life.Pre-set clearance or preload, integrated seals and sensors on modern units.
Deep groove ball bearingsGearbox shafts, electric motors, alternators and pumps.C3 clearance, 2Z or 2RS, insulated variants on inverter-fed motors.
Cylindrical roller bearingsTransmission gears and e-drive rotors where radial load and speed are both high.High-precision cages, optimised surface finish for the lubricant film.
Ball bearing unitsAuxiliary and chassis equipment on commercial vehicles and trailers.Heavy-duty housings, seals rated for road spray.

Models for this application

From the live catalogue, 10–150 mm bore
ModelBrandBore dOD DWidth BLinks
6200LBNTN10309Specs →
E11NSK11327Specs →  Cross-ref →
CRY 26VIKO11.1141.2823.81Specs →
A2047/A2126-BTIMKEN11.98632.00410.785Specs →
6201-2ZSKF123210Specs →  Cross-ref →
A4049/A4138DTIMKEN12.6834.98910.988Specs →
R 8SKF12.728.5756.35Specs →  Cross-ref →
E13NSK13307Specs →  Cross-ref →
EN14NSK14358Specs →  Cross-ref →
A 4059/A 4138SKF14.98934.98810.998Specs →  Cross-ref →
6202ZNSK153511Specs →  Cross-ref →
RLS 5-2RS1SKF15.87539.68811.113Specs →
EN16NSK163810Specs →  Cross-ref →
05066/05185DTIMKEN16.9934714.382Specs →
6803LBNTN17265Specs →
LM 11749/710/QVC027SKF17.46239.87813.843Specs →
Models are listed for reference. For a specific duty we confirm the clearance, seal and lubricant before quoting - send the application.

Installation & maintenance notes

  • At high speed, cage design and lubrication decide the limiting speed, not the load rating.
  • For e-drive units, address shaft currents early: insulation, grounding and a hybrid bearing in one position.
  • Noise specifications are tight on passenger cars: treat raceway finish and cleanliness as critical characteristics.
  • Wheel-end life depends on the seal: water and grit entering the hub shorten life more than load does.
  • Account for the temperature of the lubricant at the coldest start, when viscosity is highest.

Common mistakes in this industry

  • Treating an electric drive unit as a conventional gearbox and losing a bearing to electrical erosion.
  • Specifying a sealed bearing above its speed limit and generating friction heat.
  • Ignoring cold-start grease viscosity, which starves the bearing until the grease warms.

Further reading

Frequently asked questions

What kills bearings in electric vehicles?
Three things dominate: electrical erosion from inverter shaft voltages, high-speed lubrication starvation, and contamination at the wheel ends. All three are addressed by selection and system design rather than by simply fitting a bigger bearing.
Are wheel bearings serviceable?
Modern hub units are sealed for life and replaced as a unit, including the sensor where fitted. Older tapered designs are adjusted and greased, but re-setting them correctly is what determines their life.
How is a bearing chosen for a gearbox shaft?
From the duty cycle: speed, load, misalignment and lubricant. Cylindrical roller types handle high radial load at speed; tapered or angular contact pairs take the axial component; deep groove bearings suit lighter, faster positions.

Sourcing for Automotive?

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