Relationship between load direction and bearing selection

The choice of bearing is also related to the direction of load. Pure radial load can choose deep groove ball bearing or cylindrical roller bearing. The thrust ball bearing is only suitable for bearing a proper amount of pure axial load. One way thrust ball bearing can only bear one direction of axial load, while two-way thrust ball bearing and two-way thrust angular contact bearing can bear two directions of axial load. When bearing bears radial and axial combined load, it is generally suitable for angular contact ball bearing or tapered roller bearing. The four point contact ball bearing and the two-way thrust angular contact ball bearing can bear the combined load with the advantage of axial load in two directions.

The main characteristic of combined load is that the axial load capacity of bearing depends on the contact angle α， The larger the angle, the better the axial load. The axial load factor Y (see bearing dimension table) decreases with the increase of contact angle. The contact angle and axial load capacity of deep groove ball bearing are related to the radial clearance.

Angular contact ball bearings and tapered roller bearings can only bear one-way axial load. If the load direction needs to be changed, the opposite bearing should be arranged to bear the axial load.

When the axial load in the combined load is large, the thrust bearing is only used to bear the axial load and has nothing to do with the radial load. When suitable single row radial ball bearing or four point contact ball bearing is used to bear axial load, there must be radial clearance between outer ring and seat hole.