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Spherical Bearings

Built to manage angular rotation and reduce friction in high-load environments. Unlike a regular ball bearing which mainly handles rotation, spherical bearings can handle oscillation and tilting in addition to rotation. Our spherical bearings ensure stability, strength, and freedom of movement in compact designs.
Spherical Bearings Group Photo

Product Overview

Spherical bearings, also known as bushings or ball bushings, allow for smooth rotation and limited angular motion between components under varying loads. These bearings are used in systems where misalignment and motion occur simultaneously, often under heavy forces or in compact assemblies.

Radial Bearing offers both self-lubricating polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fabric lined bearings and metal-to-metal spherical bearings, designed to meet the needs of aerospace, defense, and advanced industrial systems. Our bearings are available in a range of sizes, tolerances, and material configurations, supported by AS9100D and ISO 9001-certified quality systems.

Product Types

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Self-Lubricating Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Fabric Lined

Provide smooth, maintenance-free operation with reduced friction and extended wear life. Ideal for applications requiring consistent oscillation or high cycle counts without lubrication within a temperature range of -65°F to +300°F. When temperatures are expected to exceed the range shown or applications involving high loading, vibration or high surface speed, please consult with our engineers for other available liners.
Spherical Bearing

Metal-to-Metal Bearings

Designed for high-load environments where temperature extremes, vibration, or shock loading may occur. Lubrication grooves and holes at 180° provide a ready means of re-lubrication after installation. Engineered for strength and longevity in rugged conditions. Various metals can be substituted for special applications.

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Molded Race, Self-Lubricating, Loader Slot Design

Nylon injection molded race is economically designed for general and industrial applications requiring strong wear, vibration, corrosion and radial load capability. The self-lubricating, low-friction thermoplastic liner is designed to withstand a temperature range of -30°F to -220°F adding to the overall versatility.
Spherical Bearing
Spherical Bearing
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Custom

When off-the-shelf options won’t meet performance demands, we engineer custom spherical bearings to your exact specifications using a wide variety of combinations of materials for bearing components, various liner types and housing configuration. Radial has deep experience in designing and manufacturing complete assemblies to deliver sound, economical solutions to your requirements.

Applications

Our spherical bearings are used in mechanical systems where precision rotation and misalignment must be accommodated under heavy loads or environmental stress.

Common applications include:

Tail assembly

Wing pivots and tail assemblies
(yaw bearing systems)

Flaps, rudders, and elevators

Landing gear joints and struts

Helicopter rotor assemblies

Plane turbine

Jet and turbine engine pivots

Actuators and motion control systems

Suspension pivots and steering assemblies

Structural hinges and rotating joints

Construction, ag, and on-road vehicle linkages

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Industries

Commercial Aerospace
  • Commercial and Regional Aircraft
  • Business and General Aviation Aircraft
  • Rotorcraft

Space & Defense
  • Military Aircraft, Rotorcraft and UAVs
  • Ground Vehicles
  • Space Launch Vehicles

On-Road Vehicles
  • Engine Turbo Systems
  • Heavy Truck and Suspension Systems
  • Specialty Vehicles

Construction & Agriculture
  • Earth Moving Equipment
  • Tractors, Combines, Hay Balers
  • Utility Vehicles

General & Industrial
  • High-performance Racing
  • Specialty Manufacturing
  • Industrial Systems

Explore Applications Across Industries

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Case Studies

Space & Defense Case Study

Spherical Bearings for an Unmanned Aerial Refueling Aircraft

A major defense contractor required aerospace-grade spherical bearings for the landing gear system of a next-generation unmanned aerial refueling aircraft. The mission-critical nature of the program, combined with strict military quality standards and tight production timelines, demanded a supplier with proven engineering expertise, precision manufacturing, and agile delivery capabilities.

ASSEMBLIES

Spherical Bearings (RWCR Series)

Construction & Agriculture Case Study

Cost-Effective Linkage Solution for a Global Construction Equipment Manufacturer

A leading global manufacturer of large construction and mining equipment needed a reliable, cost-effective linkage for a critical safety application. Their existing design was expensive, difficult to source, and negatively impacting their supply chain.

ASSEMBLIES

Ladder Support Linkage

On-Road Vehicles Case Study

Actuation Linkage for an Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve (EGRV)

A leading supplier of exhaust gas management systems for hybrid vehicles turned to Radial Bearing for a motion control solution that could withstand extreme environmental conditions, rigorous testing standards, and large-scale production demands.

ASSEMBLIES

Actuator Linkage
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Powered by Cablecraft

Leveraging the recognition, credibility, resources and industry expertise of Cablecraft, Radial Bearing is a leading designer and manufacturer of engineered motion control linkage products.

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Get Started with Radial Bearing

Put reliable control in the hands of the world’s drivers, pilots, and equipment operators with the expertise and support of Radial Bearing. Contact us today to discuss your needs.

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