What are Needle Bush Bearings?

Needle bush bearings, also known as needle roller bearings, are a type of rolling-element bearing that uses long and thin cylindrical rollers instead of balls to maintain separation between two bearing races. These rollers have a high length-to-diameter ratio, which allows them to handle high radial loads while occupying minimal space.

The outer race of a needle bush bearing is typically a thin-walled sleeve, while the inner race is a hardened shaft. The rollers are retained by a cage that guides them during rotation, reducing friction and wear. Needle bush bearings can also handle axial loads in one direction but are not suitable for high-speed applications due to their low contact surface area.

Needle bush bearings are commonly used in applications where space is limited, such as automotive transmissions, power tools, and industrial machinery. They are also used in applications that require high load capacity and high rigidity, such as machine tools and heavy-duty equipment. Needle bush bearings are available in a variety of designs, including drawn cup, full complement, and thrust needle roller bearings.