Use this industrial bearing selection guide to compare bearing families and prepare a clear purchasing specification. The model examples illustrate designation and selection checks; they are not a list of interchangeable products.
Selection topics: bearing type, full designation, dimensions, operating conditions and purchasing requirements.
📑 Table of Contents
- Confirm the bearing specification before ordering
- The six bearing families at a glance
- Deep groove ball bearing examples: 6305, 6307 and 6309
- Deep groove ball bearing examples: 6311 to 6318
- Larger deep groove ball bearings: installation and selection checks
- Self-aligning ball and spherical roller bearings (2217/2218/22224/2230)
- Large and legacy bearing references: what to verify
- Equipment-specific references: 9039428 and 9039352
- Selection in practice: a 4-step workflow
- Why work with ZQM Bearings
- FAQ
1. Confirm the Bearing Specification Before Ordering
An incorrect bearing specification can cause downtime and repeat maintenance. Before ordering a replacement, check the required bearing type, dimensions, suffixes and operating conditions.
Common selection problems include mismatched clearances, unsuitable fits, insufficient lubrication and incomplete replacement specifications. Review these factors before attributing every failure to product quality.
- A bearing selected without checking shock loads may suffer premature damage.
- An unsuitable bearing arrangement can fail to meet spindle accuracy or stiffness requirements.
- Inadequate contamination protection can accelerate wear.
- A legacy replacement requires more than a matching bore: verify all dimensions and arrangement details.
The examples below are grouped by bearing family. Use the equipment drawing and manufacturer data to confirm the final product, rather than choosing from a model number alone.
2. The six bearing families at a glance
Start by identifying the bearing family and the direction of the loads it must carry.
| Family | Typical code | Load profile | Typical applications | Models in this guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Groove Ball Bearing (DC) | 6xxx dominant | Light–medium radial + minor axial; high speed capability | Motors, pumps, fans, appliances | 12 |
| Self-Aligning Ball Bearing | 22xx in this guide | Primarily radial loads; permissible misalignment depends on the design | Select against the machine requirements and manufacturer data | 3 |
| Spherical Roller Bearing (SRB) | 222xx in this guide | Radial and combined loads; permissible misalignment depends on the design | Industrial machinery subject to application-specific selection | 1 |
| Thrust Spherical Roller (TSRB) | 294xx etc. | Very heavy axial + heavy radial | Vertical mills, marine propellers, cement mills | 1 |
| Tapered Roller Bearing (TRB) | Verify the product catalog | Combined radial and axial loads; verify the design and arrangement. | Mill roll necks, gearboxes, wheel hubs | 1 |
| Thrust / Combined Bearing | Verify equipment-specific references against drawings | Axial-dominant; combined load configurations | Mill screw-down, cranes, injection moulding | 4 |
The model examples below show how the required checks vary with bearing type and installation.
3. Deep Groove Ball Bearing Examples: 6305, 6307 and 6309
6305, 6307 and 6309 are deep groove ball bearing examples. Confirm seals, shields, clearance, tolerance and cage configuration as well as the basic designation. 6305: 25 × 62 × 17 mm.
Use the equipment specification to establish suitability. A model used in one motor or pump is not automatically suitable for another. 6307: 35 × 80 × 21 mm.
Compare the installation space, loading and operating speed for the proposed bearing. 6309: 45 × 100 × 25 mm.
For replacement purchasing, record the complete marking and any drawing reference. The same basic size can be supplied with different clearances and sealing arrangements.
Purchasing tip: confirm the specified tolerance class, clearance and inspection requirements. A higher accuracy class should be selected for a demonstrated equipment requirement, not assumed to improve every application.
4. Deep Groove Ball Bearing Examples: 6311 to 6318
The 6311, 6313, 6315 and 6318 examples cover different dimensions. Check the shaft, housing and available installation space before reviewing ratings and speed limits.
| Basic designation | Configuration check | Dimensions (d × D × B) | Application reference | Purchasing check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6311 | Confirm full suffix and drawing | 55 × 120 × 29 mm | Standard motors, gearboxes | Confirm the full suffix, operating conditions and product data. |
| 6313 | Confirm full suffix and drawing | 65 × 140 × 33 mm | Industrial standard motors | Confirm the full suffix, operating conditions and product data. |
| 6315 | Confirm full suffix and drawing | 75 × 160 × 37 mm | Standard motors, pumps | Confirm the full suffix, operating conditions and product data. |
| 6318 | Confirm full suffix and drawing | 90 × 190 × 43 mm | Industrial motors, gearboxes | Confirm the full suffix, operating conditions and product data. |
Load ratings and speed limits vary with the manufacturer and internal design. Use data for the exact proposed product rather than applying a fixed capacity ratio between model sizes.
Selection tip: tolerance class, fit and operating clearance are separate specifications. A change from normal accuracy to P6 does not by itself establish a percentage increase in bearing life.
5. Larger Deep Groove Ball Bearings: Installation and Selection Checks
For larger bearings, installation access, handling and removal arrangements become important purchasing considerations. Bearing size alone does not determine the application or commercial value.
| Basic designation | Configuration check | Dimensions (d × D × B) | Application reference | Purchasing check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6319 | Confirm full suffix and drawing | 95 × 200 × 45 mm | General machinery, gearboxes | Confirm the full suffix, operating conditions and product data. |
| 6326 | Confirm full suffix and drawing | 130 × 280 × 58 mm | Heavy motors, pump industry | Confirm the full suffix, operating conditions and product data. |
| 6026 | Confirm full suffix and drawing | 130 × 200 × 33 mm | Check the available radial installation space. | Confirm the full suffix, operating conditions and product data. |
| 6230 | Confirm full suffix and drawing | 150 × 270 × 45 mm | Heavy general equipment | Confirm the full suffix, operating conditions and product data. |
| 6236L | Confirm full suffix and drawing | 180 × 320 × 52 mm | Heavy motors, centrifuges | Confirm the full suffix, operating conditions and product data. |
6026 is a deep groove ball bearing designation in the 60 dimension series, not the 62 series. Compare its actual boundary dimensions with the shaft and housing requirements; it is not a direct substitute for 6326.
Additional suffixes, including an L marking, must be interpreted using the relevant manufacturer’s designation system. Do not assume the cage material or temperature capability from an unexplained suffix.
Installation tip: follow the bearing manufacturer’s mounting method and heating limits. Apply mounting force to the ring being fitted and avoid transmitting force through the rolling elements; neither a fixed oil-bath temperature nor hot mounting is universal.
6. Self-aligning ball and spherical roller bearings (2217/2218/22224/2230)
Self-aligning ball bearings and spherical roller bearings are different bearing types. In this group, 2217, 2218 and 2230 are self-aligning ball bearing designations, while 22224 is a spherical roller bearing designation. A similar designation or bore size does not establish interchangeability.
2217 and 2218 are self-aligning ball bearing examples with boundary dimensions of 85 × 150 × 36 mm and 90 × 160 × 40 mm respectively. Confirm the full product specification before purchasing.
22224: Spherical roller bearing. Check the complete suffix and manufacturer specifications before selecting the cage, clearance or load rating. 2230: Self-aligning ball bearing; do not treat it as a larger spherical roller substitute for 22224 or infer its load capacity from the designation alone.
Selection tip: Confirm the bearing type, full designation, dimensions, loads, speed, fits and operating conditions before choosing a replacement. Permissible misalignment, lubrication and sealing requirements depend on the specific design and application.
Classification checks identify the bearing family; they do not establish ZQM-specific load ratings, availability or interchangeability.
7. Large and Legacy Bearing References: What to Verify
Some equipment records use legacy or equipment-specific bearing references. Confirm the original drawing and complete marking before converting a reference into a current product designation.
For a legacy reference, provide the original code, any documented current designation, measured dimensions and the equipment drawing. 3086313: treat this as a reference requiring drawing and catalog verification.
Do not infer the structure, bore or a current equivalent from individual digits of a legacy reference without a verified code source. 29488: a thrust spherical roller bearing designation requiring product-specific load and installation checks.
For a large thrust bearing, confirm the load direction, combined-load limits, support arrangement and mounting requirements. Price, availability and delivery terms are order-specific. 66412: verify the original equipment drawing and complete bearing configuration.
For an equipment-specific or legacy reference, establish the rolling-element type, load direction and dimensions from documentation. 66432: confirm the full reference and drawing rather than assuming equivalence with 66412.
Similar reference numbers do not prove that two bearings share the same arrangement or application. 46416: confirm the structure and dimensions against the equipment documentation.
For these references, obtain a drawing or manufacturer record before approving a replacement. A numeric prefix alone is insufficient to establish bearing type or suitability.
Selection tip: large or unusual bearings need a documented specification review. Send the drawing, dimensions and operating information so that supply feasibility and any additional technical review can be discussed.
8. Equipment-Specific References: 9039428 and 9039352
9039428: equipment-specific reference requiring confirmation.
Provide the original drawing, full marking, load direction and dimensions. Do not derive a standard bearing type or delivery time from the reference alone. 9039352: equipment-specific reference requiring confirmation.
Check this reference independently against the equipment record. Its similarity to another code is not proof of common dimensions, construction or interchangeability.
Purchasing tip: plan spare holdings from equipment criticality, actual consumption and confirmed replenishment time. Avoid assuming that any legacy reference is available from stock.
9. Selection in practice: a 4-step workflow
Use the following four-step workflow to organize a selection enquiry:
- Step 1 — Lock down the three operating parameters. Load (radial / axial / combined, and magnitude), speed (limiting vs. operating rpm), and environment (clean / dusty / wet / hot / corrosive).
- Step 2 — Compare bearing families using load direction, alignment, speed and the equipment arrangement.
- Step 3 — Compare candidate dimensions and product-specific load and speed data.
- Step 4 — Confirm fits, operating clearance, lubrication, sealing, mounting and inspection requirements.
If information is missing, discuss it with the equipment supplier or bearing manufacturer before approving a substitute. Matching a few catalog fields is not a complete suitability assessment.
10. Why work with ZQM Bearings
ZQM Bearings supports industrial bearing purchasing through manufacturing resources in Wafangdian and export operations in Ningbo. Send the product specification and order requirements for review.
- Supply review: confirm availability and delivery terms for the requested designation and quantity.
- Reference review: provide the original drawing and complete designation so that a proposed replacement can be checked.
- Selection enquiries: provide the equipment conditions and specification for review.
- Inspection documents: agree the required records and acceptance criteria before ordering.
- Custom enquiries: submit the drawing and technical requirements for feasibility review.
Request a Bearing Quotation
For a quotation, include the complete designation, quantity, destination and any drawing or technical requirements. Product suitability and delivery terms are confirmed for the individual enquiry.
📩 Email: [email protected] ｜ 🌐 Web: www.zqmbearings.com
11. FAQ
❓ Q1. What’s the difference between a deep groove ball bearing and a spherical roller bearing?
Deep groove ball bearings primarily carry radial loads and can also carry axial loads within their design limits. Spherical roller bearings use rollers and a spherical outer-ring raceway to accommodate misalignment within specified limits. Select between them using the equipment’s loading, speed, alignment and installation requirements.
❓ Q2. Can I still source bearings under old GB designations like 3086313, 66412, or 9039428?
A legacy reference may be usable as an enquiry starting point, but supply and any modern equivalent require verification. Provide the original code, drawing, complete marking and dimensions; do not assume that a replacement is available.
❓ Q3. What type of bearing should I use in a vertical roller mill or rolling mill?
A: Bearing arrangements for vertical mills and rolling-mill roll necks vary with the machine design. Check the equipment drawing and the original bearing specification before choosing a thrust, tapered or spherical roller bearing. In particular, 2230 is a self-aligning ball bearing designation and should not be grouped with 22224 as a spherical roller bearing. Do not infer replacement suitability or service life from a model number alone.
Q4. How should I plan bearing spare inventory?
Base spare holdings on equipment criticality, actual consumption, interchangeability and confirmed replenishment time. Standard bearings and equipment-specific parts may require different stock policies; there is no universal stock ratio or margin-based rule.
❓ Q5. Beyond the part number, what other parameters matter when selecting an industrial bearing?
Confirm boundary dimensions, load ratings, allowable speed, clearance, tolerance, cage, sealing and lubrication requirements as applicable. Request data for the exact proposed product; the basic designation does not resolve every field.
❓ Q6. Can you cross-reference old drawing numbers to current ISO codes?
Send the original drawing, equipment reference and clear photographs of the complete marking. Any proposed cross-reference must be checked for dimensions, internal design and operating suitability before acceptance.
Prepared by ZQM Bearings Technical Team. Updated November 2, 2026.
Contact ZQM Bearings with your bearing designation and quantity for a quote.