Install and forget these self-lubricating bearings. Their lubricant is a solid material that fills the space between the balls and releases oil over time, so you'll never need to add more.

Install and forget these self-lubricating bearings. All are made from porous metal and saturated with oil to reduce maintenance and downtime. A good all-around choice, they are used in everything from palm-sized fans in electronics to tire-sized pulleys. Although these bearings will work in most conditions, oil may drip away if temperatures get too high. Consider a graphite-lubricated bearing for higher temperatures or places where you can’t afford the mess. All are fabricated, lubricated, and inspected in the U.S.

With no moving parts, sleeve bearings are the simplest way to support the load of a rotating shaft while reducing friction. Also known as plain bearings.

Support complex movement in multiple directions with a single compact bearing. The balls distribute weight at four points, so these bearings handle radial, thrust, and moment loads all at once. For example, you’ll often find them in robot arms, which rotate, extend, and twist while supporting an object’s weight. Thinner than two standard angular contact ball bearings paired together, these bearings squeeze into tight spaces. They’re commonly paired with large hollow shafts to run electrical wire and other lines.