The bearings comprise drawn outer cups, plastic support rings with a concave inner profile, outer rings with a spherical outside surface, needle roller and cage assemblies and removable inner rings.

Aligning needle roller bearings are X-life bearings. These bearings have optimised raceway surfaces. This gives higher load carrying capacity and longer rating life.

Due to the spherical outer ring and the concave support ring, aligning bearings can compensate static misalignments between the shaft and housing of up to 3°.

The bearings must not be used to support swivel or tumbling motion.

During adjustment motion between the outer cup and the ring, a breakaway torque occurs. In order that adjustment motion can take place, the tolerances for the housing bore according to the table must be observed, see table.

Bearings without inner ring have particularly compact radial dimensions. However, they require a shaft raceway that is hardened and ground.

Bearings with an inner ring are used if the shaft is not configured as a rolling bearing raceway.

The standard inner ring allows axial displacement within the values “s” stated in the dimension tables. Where larger displacements occur, the standard ring can be replaced by a wider inner ring IR. Inner rings: see link.

Aligning needle roller bearings are not sealed.

The open bearings can be lubricated with oil or grease.

The range of possible operating temperatures is from –20 °C to +100 °C, restricted by the plastic support rings.

The cages are made from sheet steel.