Versus a rod end: rod end = bearing + integral threaded housing (threads into a linkage); spherical bearing = bearing element only (needs a separate housing/mount).
Press-Fit Spherical Bearings — PTFE-Lined & Metal-to-Metal
Spherical Plain Bearings
A spherical plain bearing is the articulating ball-in-race element at the heart of every rod end — but without a threaded housing, designed to be pressed into a parent component (hydraulic cylinder end, machinery housing, clevis). SYZ offers 10 series across chrome steel, stainless and alloy steel: commercial COM, stainless COM-SS, precision GEC/GEGC, fractured-race GEZ, self-lubricating SLB, wide-series WPB and high-misalignment YPB — PTFE-lined or metal-to-metal, inch and metric.
10 series
Inch + Metric
PTFE / M2M
Liner Options
Chromoly & stainless steel
various material
OEM bulk
Factory-direct
Material Certs Available
Sample to Full-Container
Factory Direct Sourcing
Industry Standards Cross-Ref
ISO 9001:2015 Quality
Overview
What Is a Spherical Plain Bearing?
A spherical plain bearing is a precision-ground ball rotating inside a matched spherical outer race — the bearing element only, with no threaded shank or bore. Use it when the bearing must be press-fit into a parent component, the mount is a custom-machined pocket (not a threaded hole), or you want a bearing replaceable independently of the linkage.
Press-Fit Bearing Element
Use spherical plain bearings when the joint needs to live inside your own machined housing, arm or bracket instead of a threaded rod-end body.
Material & Liner Range
The range covers commercial inch, metric, stainless, PTFE-lined and high-misalignment families, so the bearing can match both the environment and the mounting design.
Product Offerings
Series Breakdown
| Series | Ball | Race | Liner | Standard | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM(-T) | 52100 chrome | Alloy steel, oil-coated | Metal-to-metal; PTFE on -T | Inch | Commercial workhorse; bore ~0.165–2 in; lube groove |
| COMA-M(T) | 52100 chrome | Alloy steel, oil-coated | Metal-to-metal; PTFE on -MT | Metric | Metric commercial; bore 3–30 mm |
| COM-SS | 440C stainless | Stainless steel, Teflon-lined | PTFE | Inch | Chromoly & stainless steel, corrosion-resistant; bore ~0.165–1 in |
| GEC | 52100 chrome | Carbon steel, Teflon-lined, zinc optional | PTFE | Metric | Compact cylindrical OR; bore 4–30 mm |
| GEGC | 52100 chrome | Carbon steel, Teflon-lined, zinc optional | PTFE | Metric | Wider OR, higher load; bore 4–30 mm |
| GEZ | 52100, protective-coated | 52100, protective-coated | (greaseable; 2RS option) | Inch | Fractured outer race, easy assembly; bore 0.5–5.984 in |
| SLB | 52100 (440C optional) | Alloy steel, oil-coated (stainless/zinc optional) | Reinforced nylon race + PTFE | Inch | Self-lubricating, maintenance-free; bore 0.5–2 in |
| WPB-T | 52100 (stainless optional) | Alloy steel, Teflon-lined, oil-coated | PTFE | Inch | Wide inner race, high misalignment 15°; bore 0.25–1 in |
| WPB-TG | 52100 (stainless optional) | Alloy steel, Teflon-lined, oil-coated | PTFE | Inch | Wide series with staking groove (press-fit retention); bore 0.25–1 in |
| YPB-T | 52100 (440C optional) | Alloy steel, oil-coated, Teflon-lined | PTFE | Inch | High misalignment 24°, extra-wide race; bore 0.25–0.75 in |
Series Overview
Series Notes
All carbon/alloy/chrome series use a 52100 bearing-steel ball unless noted; COM-SS uses 440C stainless. Static load and exact dimensions per part number are on each series spec page.
COM / COM-T — Inch Commercial
The default general-industrial bearing; widest size range; PTFE (-T) for maintenance-free operation. Bore ~0.165–2 in.
COM-SS — Stainless Inch
Full corrosion resistance: 440C stainless ball, stainless (316) race, Teflon liner. Marine/washdown/chemical environments. Bore ~0.165–1 in.
COMA-M(T) — Metric Commercial
Metric alloy-steel commercial; PTFE option (-MT). Bore 3–30 mm.
GEC / GEGC — Metric Carbon-Steel PTFE
Metric carbon-steel Teflon-lined. GEC compact cylindrical OR; GEGC wider for higher load. Bore 4–30 mm.
GEZ — Fractured Race, Inch
Fractured outer race for easy assembly; optional 2RS rubber lip seals for sealed-for-life operation. Bore 0.5–5.984 in.
SLB — Self-Lubricating, Inch
Reinforced nylon race + PTFE; self-lubricating, maintenance-free. Stainless/zinc options available. Bore 0.5–2 in.
WPB-T / WPB-TG — Wide Series, High Misalignment
Wide inner race, 15° misalignment. TG adds staking groove for press-fit retention. Bore 0.25–1 in.
YPB-T — High Misalignment 24°
Extra-wide race, 24° high-misalignment. 440C stainless optional. Bore 0.25–0.75 in.
Engineering Guide
Selection Guide
01
Confirm Mounting Method
Press-fit into a custom pocket → spherical bearing. Threaded rod or tube → use a rod end instead. The bearing element only needs a housing.
02
Specify Bore × OD × Width
Match bore to your pin/bolt, OD to the housing pocket. Confirm the static load rating on the spec page exceeds your load with a safety factor.
03
Match the Environment
Dry indoor → COM/COMA-M. Corrosive/marine → COM-SS. Dirty/abrasive → SLB. High load → GEGC/WPB.
04
Liner & Maintenance
Greaseable metal-to-metal (COM) vs maintenance-free PTFE (COM-T, SLB) vs sealed for life (GEZ-2RS).
05
Misalignment Angle
Wide misalignment required → WPB-T (15°) or YPB-T (24°). Standard joints → COM, GEC, SLB.
Industrial Uses
Where Spherical Plain Bearings Perform
Hydraulic Cylinder Rod Eyes
Press-fit into cylinder end caps and rod-eye pivots that see repeated load reversals.
→ COM-T
Clevis-Mounted Linkage Pivots
Installed in clevis or custom housing pockets for clean pivot joints in machinery linkage.
→ COM, GEC
Agricultural & Construction Pivots
Dusty, abrasive environments where a maintenance-free bearing reduces service intervals.
→ SLB
Marine Steering & Deck Hardware
Saltwater exposure and constant moisture demand full corrosion resistance throughout the bearing.
→ COM-SS
High-Load / High-Misalignment Joints
Wide-angle articulation under heavy load, such as off-road suspension and heavy equipment pivots.
→ GEGC, WPB, YPB
Food & Washdown Machinery
Frequent washdown cycles where stainless and PTFE-lined bearings resist chemical and water ingress.
→ COM-SS, COM-T
Sealed-for-Life Assemblies
Where regreasing access is impossible and the bearing must retain factory lubrication for its service life.
→ GEZ-2RS
FAQ
Common Questions
What’s the difference between a spherical plain bearing and a rod end?
A spherical bearing is the ball-in-race element only; a rod end is that bearing inside a housing with a threaded shank or bore. Bearings press into a housing; rod ends thread directly into a mating part.
What does PTFE-lined / Teflon-lined mean?
A PTFE liner bonded to the race gives a low-friction, self-lubricating, maintenance-free surface (COM-T, GEC, SLB, WPB-T…). The trade-off vs metal-to-metal is lower max load/temperature.
What’s the GEZ “2RS” option?
Two rubber lip seals (one per side) that keep factory grease in and contaminants out — sealed for life, no regreasing.
When should I use COM-SS stainless?
When exposed to saltwater, chemicals, washdown or outdoor weather. COM-SS uses a 440C stainless ball with a stainless (316) race and Teflon liner.
What is a fractured-race bearing (GEZ)?
Its outer race is intentionally split so the ball assembles in, then the ring closes — giving an almost uninterrupted spherical running surface without staking.
How do I size a spherical bearing?
By bore × OD × width: bore to your pin/bolt, OD to the housing pocket. Confirm the static load rating (on the spec page) exceeds your calculated load with a safety factor.
Factory Direct
Request a Quote
Tell us your specific part numbers and quantities. We respond within 24 hours with pricing and lead time.