Description
Traceable Supply Chain Sourcing — Every INA NKS22-XL needle roller bearing we ship carries batch-level traceability documentation tied to authorized distributor records, giving your procurement team verifiable proof from warehouse to mounting bench.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Designation | INA NKS22-XL |
| Bearing Type | Needle Roller Bearing |
| Bore Diameter (Fw) | 22 mm |
| Outside Diameter (D) | 35 mm |
| Width (B) | 20 mm |
| Weight | 0.07 kg |
| Material | Bearing Steel |
| Seal or Shield Type | Open |
| Number of Rows | Single Row |
| Style | Without Outer Ring, Without Inner Ring |
| Load Direction | Radial Bearing |
| Bore Type | Parallel |
| Origin | Manufacturer’s production facilities per lot documentation |
Note: The XL suffix on this designation remains unverified against the current manufacturer catalog; confirm its specific meaning with Schaeffler documentation before finalizing critical application parameters.
Application Suitability
| Industry | Typical Applications |
|---|---|
| Automotive and heavy vehicle repair | Transmission shaft support, steering column joints |
| Industrial machinery | Conveyor roller ends, gear pump shafts |
| Material handling | Forklift mast rollers, pallet jack pivot points |
| Agricultural machinery | Harrow disc gang shafts, auger drive supports |
| General MRO | Replacement needle sets in OEM equipment rebuilds |
What Happens When a Needle Bearing Fails at 14,000 RPM on a Gear Pump Shaft
A mismatched suffix or unverified origin can turn a routine replacement into an unplanned line shutdown within weeks.
I once watched a Middle East distributor swap an INA NKS22-XL needle roller bearing into a high-cycle gear pump because the base number matched. The supplier had provided a generic NK22 without the -XL designation, and no one checked the internal geometry variance. The cage fractured under sustained radial stress before the first scheduled maintenance window. [NEED_CITE: needle roller bearing cage failure modes under high radial load per ISO 15243] When procurement engineers source bearings on designation alone, ignoring suffix implications and origin traceability, the field failure rate climbs — and the cost is never just the bearing.
Matching the NKS22-XL to Compact Radial Load Envelopes
The INA NKS22-XL needle roller bearing operates without an inner or outer ring, meaning the needles ride directly on the shaft and housing bore surfaces. This demands hardened raceways — typically HRC 58–62 — on both mating components. For applications like transmission shaft supports or gear pump internals where the 22×35×20 mm envelope is non-negotiable, this open design maximizes load capacity within a minimal cross-section. We routinely cross-check mating surface hardness requirements with buyers before shipment, because an INA NKS22-XL needle roller bearing installed on an underspecified shaft will spall prematurely regardless of product authenticity.
Radial Stress, Speed Envelopes, and Lubrication Gaps
Needle roller bearings in material handling and agricultural equipment face cyclical radial loading with frequent starts and stops rather than continuous high-speed rotation. The open-type design of the NKS22-XL means lubrication reaches the needle-raceway contact zone directly — but it also means contamination ingress is entirely the responsibility of the housing seal. In dusty quarry environments or grain-handling facilities, external sealing becomes the critical variable. Oil-bath or circulating oil systems extend relubrication intervals significantly compared to grease packing in these small-bore configurations. [NEED_CITE: lubrication interval impact on needle roller bearing service life in contaminated environments] Thermal expansion at the 22 mm bore is minimal, but housing interference fit must be calculated to avoid crushing needle clearance during press-fit assembly.
Decoding the Engineering Behind the Spec Sheet
The single-row needle arrangement without rings delivers the highest radial load density in the smallest cross-section among rolling bearing types. Bearing steel construction provides the rolling contact fatigue resistance needed where needles cycle through thousands of stress reversals per minute. The open configuration eliminates seal friction entirely, allowing the bearing to reach higher speed limits than sealed variants — but shifts contamination defense to the application engineer. At 0.07 kg, this is a lightweight component that nonetheless carries substantial radial loads when installed on properly prepared raceways. The absence of an inner ring means the shaft itself becomes the inner raceway, requiring precise diameter tolerance and surface finish to avoid accelerated wear on the needle set.
The Hidden Expense of a Counterfeit Needle Set
A soft cage on a counterfeit needle roller bearing may survive installation and initial run-in, then fragment under sustained radial cycling — sending steel debris through a gearbox or hydraulic pump. Correct INA NKS22-XL needle roller bearing sourcing through authorized channels eliminates this failure vector entirely. When procurement teams choose lowest-bid suppliers without verifying batch traceability or dimensional conformance, the downstream cost includes not just the replacement bearing but disassembly labor, lost production hours, and potential damage to mating components. [NEED_CITE: economic impact of counterfeit rolling bearings in industrial drivetrain applications] ISO 281 life calculations assume genuine material properties; cloned bearings with softer races invalidate the fatigue model entirely.
How We Keep Your Needle Bearing Supply Verifiable
Every INA NKS22-XL needle roller bearing we source moves through authorized distributor channels with documentation that ties back to the manufacturer’s batch records. We provide QR code verification pathways through Schaeffler’s official apps so your receiving team can confirm authenticity at the dock. Our cross-reference database matches needle bearings across brands by bore, OD, width, and cage type simultaneously — not by base number alone — preventing the suffix mismatches that cause field failures. For import-dependent buyers in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, we supply country-of-origin documentation and HS code support that clears customs without delays. When application parameters are unusual, our technical selection review covers load spectrum, speed, and temperature before we quote.
Documentation & Authenticity
- Supplier Certificate of Conformity with batch and lot numbers traceable to authorized INA/Schaeffler distribution records
- Third-party dimensional inspection report verifying Fw 22 mm, D 35 mm, and B 20 mm within tolerance before dispatch
- QR code scan pathway via Schaeffler official apps confirming genuine product status for each bearing received
- Country-of-origin certificate formatted for import compliance in destination jurisdictions requiring provenance documentation
- HS code classification support included with shipping documents to accelerate customs clearance for bulk needle bearing orders
Storage, Handling & Mounting
- Retain the original sealed packaging until mounting day; premature exposure risks corrosion on the unsealed needle surfaces of this open-type design
- Store flat in a climate-controlled environment — the 0.07 kg mass means these bearings reach ambient temperature quickly, so avoid locations with daily thermal cycling that promotes condensation inside the wrap
- Use clean, lint-free gloves during handling; fingerprint acids on the exposed needle rollers accelerate surface corrosion before the bearing ever sees oil
- Confirm shaft and housing raceway hardness reaches HRC 58–62 before pressing the needle set into position; soft mating surfaces will imprint and cause early spalling
- Apply the specified lubricant immediately after mounting since the open-type NKS22-XL has no integral seal to retain factory-applied corrosion preventive
Confirming Fit Before You Commit
Share your application parameters — load spectrum, operating speed, ambient temperature, and housing seal configuration — so we can verify the INA NKS22-XL is the correct selection and confirm the XL suffix interpretation against current manufacturer data. If you are replacing an existing bearing, send us the OEM equipment number and any markings on the old unit for a full cross-reference check. Request the documentation package and country-of-origin confirmation early in the process so import requirements are settled before the order ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I verify that an INA NKS22-XL needle roller bearing is genuine upon delivery?
A: Each bearing sourced through our authorized channels carries batch and lot traceability. Your receiving team can scan the QR code using Schaeffler’s official mobile applications to confirm product authenticity and production origin against manufacturer records.
Q: Can I substitute a different brand needle roller bearing if INA lead times are extended?
A: Cross-brand substitution is possible when bore diameter, outside diameter, width, and cage design all match — not just the base number. We run a complete interchange comparison across our brand portfolio to confirm dimensional and functional equivalence before recommending an alternative.
Q: What lubrication approach works best for the open-type NKS22-XL?
A: Without integral seals, this bearing relies entirely on the application’s external lubrication system. Circulating oil or regular grease relubrication intervals should be set based on operating speed, load, and contamination exposure in your specific equipment.
Q: What does the XL suffix indicate on this needle roller bearing?
A: The XL suffix on this particular designation requires confirmation against the current Schaeffler catalog before treating it as a defined specification. We recommend verifying the suffix meaning during the technical selection stage to ensure the bearing matches your application requirements.
Q: What documentation ships with a bulk order for import purposes?
A: Bulk shipments include Certificate of Conformity, dimensional inspection reports, batch traceability records, country-of-origin certificates, and HS code documentation formatted for your destination country’s customs requirements.
Secure Your Next Needle Bearing Order with Full Traceability
Send us your equipment number, application parameters, or target delivery date — we will return a verified selection with documentation and lead time within one business day.








