Four point contact bearings are single row angular contact ball bearings and therefore require significantly less space in an axial direction than double row designs.

The bearings comprise solid outer rings, split inner rings and ball and cage assemblies with brass or polyamide cages. The two-piece inner rings allow a large complement of balls to be accommodated. The inner ring halves are matched to the particular bearing and must not be interchanged with those of other bearings of the same size. The outer ring with the ball and cage assembly can be mounted separately from the two inner ring halves.

Due to the design of the rolling element raceways with their high raceway shoulders, the contact angle of 35° and the large number of rolling elements, four point contact bearings have a high load carrying capacity. They can support high axial forces in both directions as well as small radial loads.

Single row four point contact bearings capable of supporting axial loads in both directions are often combined with a radial bearing and used as an axial bearing with radial clearance in a housing. For quick and secure location, larger four point contact bearings therefore have two retaining slots in the outer ring offset by 180°. These bearings have the suffix N2.

The possible skewing of the inner rings in relation to the outer ring depends on the bearing load, the operating clearance and the bearing size and is very small. Four point contact bearings are not therefore suitable for the compensation of angular misalignments in housing bores or due to shaft deflections.

Skewing of the bearing rings increases the running noise, places increased strain on the cages and has a harmful influence on the operating life of the bearings.

Four point contact bearings are not sealed.

They are not greased and can be lubricated with grease or oil.

Bearings with solid brass cages can be used at operating temperatures from –30 °C to +150 °C.

Bearings with an outside diameter of more than 240 mm are dimensionally stable up to +200 °C.

Bearings with cages made from glass fibre reinforced polyamide are suitable for operating temperatures up to +120 °C.

Standard cages for four point contact bearings, see table.

Four point contact bearings with brass cages have the suffix MPA. These window cages are guided on the outer ring.

Cages made from glass fibre reinforced polyamide are indicated by the suffix TVP.

Check the chemical resistance of polyamide to synthetic greases and lubricants with EP additives.

Aged oil and additives in the oil can impair the operating life of plastic cages at high temperatures.

The oil change intervals must be observed.

Suffixes for available designs: see table.