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When a rotating shaft needs to resist axial (thrust) forces without adding unnecessary radial bulk, engineers and DIY builders alike reach for plane axial ball bearings. Whether you are rebuilding a lathe spindle, assembling a rotary table, or designing a custom jig, selecting the wrong bearing series or the wrong bore size leads to premature failure, excessive heat, and costly downtime. This listing covers two complementary families — the flat-race F-series (F2-6M through F13-22M) and the grooved-race 511xx series (51100 through 51413) — giving you a single source for thrust ball bearings across a wide dimensional range.
Each plane axial ball bearing in this range consists of a shaft washer, a housing washer, and a ball-and-cage assembly. The F-series uses flat thrust washers suited to lighter axial loads and compact installations, while the 511xx series features grooved raceways that provide higher load capacity and better ball guidance. Inner diameters span 2 mm (≈0.08 in) to 65 mm (≈2.56 in), outer diameters from 6 mm (≈0.24 in) to 140 mm (≈5.51 in), and thickness from 3 mm (≈0.12 in) to 56 mm (≈2.20 in). All dimensions follow standard metric tolerances, making cross-referencing with OEM specifications straightforward.
Typical applications include machine-tool spindles requiring precise axial positioning, automotive steering columns and clutch-release mechanisms, industrial conveyor pivot points, and hobbyist CNC router Z-axis assemblies. The grooved 511xx variants are also widely used in hydraulic pump swashplates and rotary actuators where sustained thrust loads demand a more robust raceway geometry.
F-series flat-washer design for compact, light-duty thrust applications; 511xx grooved-raceway design for higher axial load capacity and improved ball retention.
Inner diameters from 2 mm to 65 mm and outer diameters from 6 mm to 140 mm cover miniature instrument bearings through medium industrial sizes in a single listing.
Dimensions conform to standard metric bearing tolerances, allowing direct substitution for OEM parts and straightforward integration into metric-dimensioned housings.
The washer-and-ball construction routes thrust forces axially through the bearing, keeping radial loads off the rolling elements and extending service life in single-direction thrust applications.
Available in 1, 5, 10, and 50-piece quantities with volume pricing, so you can order a single replacement or stock up for a production run without switching suppliers.
Model numbers (e.g., 51100, 51200, 51304) align with widely published bearing interchange tables, making it straightforward to confirm fitment against existing equipment documentation.
| Bearing Type | Plane axial (thrust) ball bearing — single-direction |
|---|---|
| Series Covered | F-series (F2-6M to F13-22M) and 511xx series (51100 to 51413) |
| Inner Diameter (ID) Range | 2 mm – 65 mm (≈ 0.08 in – 2.56 in) |
| Outer Diameter (OD) Range | 6 mm – 140 mm (≈ 0.24 in – 5.51 in) |
| Thickness Range | 3 mm – 56 mm (≈ 0.12 in – 2.20 in) |
| Raceway Type | Flat washer (F-series) / Grooved raceway (511xx series) |
| Load Direction | Axial (single-direction thrust) |
| Dimensional Standard | Standard metric bearing tolerances |
| Lubrication | See variant options |
| Operating Temperature | See variant options |
| Available Quantities | 1 Pcs / 5 Pcs / 10 Pcs / 50 Pcs |
The F-series uses flat thrust washers on both sides of the ball-and-cage assembly. This design is compact and well-suited to lighter axial loads and space-constrained installations. The 511xx series features grooved raceways machined into both the shaft washer and the housing washer, which provides better ball guidance, higher axial load capacity, and more consistent performance under sustained thrust. If your application involves continuous or heavy axial loading, the 511xx series is generally the more appropriate choice.
The first dimension in each model's ID × OD × Thickness specification is the inner diameter (ID), which must match your shaft diameter. For example, F8-16M has an ID of 8 mm, so it fits an 8 mm shaft. For the 511xx series, the model number encodes the bore: 51100 has a 10 mm bore, 51200 also has a 10 mm bore but a larger OD and greater load capacity. Always verify all three dimensions — ID, OD, and thickness — against your housing and shaft before ordering.
No. Plane axial ball bearings are designed exclusively for single-direction axial (thrust) loads. They are not intended to carry radial loads. If your application involves combined radial and axial loading, you should use a deep-groove ball bearing or an angular-contact bearing instead. Applying radial loads to a thrust bearing will cause rapid raceway damage and premature failure.
Standard thrust ball bearings use steel raceways and balls that are susceptible to corrosion if exposed to moisture, water, or corrosive chemicals without adequate lubrication or sealing. For outdoor or wet environments, we recommend applying a suitable grease or oil before installation and re-lubricating at regular intervals. If your application requires inherent corrosion resistance, contact us to confirm material options before ordering.
If you need a single replacement bearing for a repair, the 1-piece option is the most cost-effective way to get exactly what you need without excess stock. The 5- and 10-piece options offer a lower per-unit price and are practical for small production runs or keeping a spare on hand. The 50-piece option provides the lowest per-unit cost and is suited to higher-volume manufacturing or maintenance programs where the same bearing size is used repeatedly. All quantity tiers are listed with their individual prices in the variant selector above.
Ensure the shaft washer (the washer with the smaller bore) seats against the rotating component — typically the shaft shoulder — and the housing washer seats against the stationary component. The ball-and-cage assembly sits between the two washers. Apply a thin, even layer of appropriate grease to the raceways before assembly. Do not press or hammer directly on the bearing; use a proper bearing press or sleeve that contacts only the washer being seated. Misalignment between the shaft and housing axes should be kept to a minimum, as thrust bearings have very limited tolerance for angular misalignment.
Yes. Plane axial ball bearings are commonly used in vertical shaft applications — such as turntables, rotary tables, and vertical conveyor pivots — where gravity itself creates the axial load. In a vertical orientation, ensure the shaft washer is correctly positioned against the rotating component and that adequate lubrication is maintained, as grease may migrate away from the contact zone more readily in vertical installations. For high-speed vertical applications, consult the bearing's speed rating and consider a lighter-viscosity lubricant.
