Bearing Preload Wave Washers: Load, Working Height, Tolerance Stack & Selection Guide

Bearing preload wave washers are compact spring components used to apply a controlled axial force to a bearing while accommodating dimensional variation within the assembly.

They are commonly used in electric motors, pumps, gear systems, fans, blowers, actuators and other rotating equipment where engineers need to control bearing play without creating an excessively rigid axial stack.

The engineering task is not simply:

“Find a wave washer that fits the bearing.”

The more useful question is:

“What preload force must the washer provide across the complete installed-height tolerance range?”

That changes the selection process from:

Bearing Diameter → Washer Size

to:

Bearing Requirement → Axial Preload → Assembly Tolerance Stack → Working Height Range → Load Range → Washer Geometry → Material → Validation

This distinction matters because two wave washers with similar inside and outside diameters can generate very different axial forces.

For engineers and procurement teams, bearing preload wave washers should therefore be treated as spring components with dimensional and load-deflection requirements, not simply as another washer size.

JUXIN FASTENERS supports standard and custom wave washers, spring washers, disc springs and related precision fastening components for industrial motors, pumps, 

rotating equipment, automation, automotive-related equipment, HVAC systems, cooling equipment and other engineered assemblies.

What Is Bearing Preload?

Bearing preload is an intentionally applied load that reduces or controls internal clearance within a bearing arrangement.

For many ball-bearing applications, an axial preload helps maintain contact between rolling elements and bearing races.

Depending on the bearing system, appropriate preload can help control:

• axial play;

• radial play associated with the bearing arrangement;

• positioning accuracy;

• operating noise;

• vibration associated with excessive clearance;

• bearing response under changing operating conditions.

However:

Bearing Preload Must Be Controlled

Too little preload and too much preload can both create problems.

Spring Preload vs Fixed Preload

Bearing preload can be created through different mechanical architectures.

Two important approaches are:

Fixed Preload

The bearing arrangement is mechanically positioned so that a defined relationship between the bearing races produces preload.

This approach can provide precise positioning but may be more sensitive to:

• dimensional tolerances;

• thermal expansion;

• assembly variation.

Spring Preload

A spring component applies axial force to the bearing.

A wave washer or single-turn wave spring can provide this function while allowing some axial movement.

The spring can therefore help accommodate:

• manufacturing tolerance;

• assembly tolerance;

• thermal dimensional variation.

This is one reason wave spring technology is widely used for bearing preload.

Why Use a Wave Washer for Bearing Preload?

A wave washer can generate axial spring force in a relatively small axial package.

A typical arrangement may be represented as:

Housing Shoulder → Bearing → Wave Washer → End Cover

or:

Housing → Wave Washer → Bearing Outer Race → Opposing Bearing Location

The exact architecture depends on the bearing arrangement.

The washer compresses from its free height to an installed working height.

That compression generates axial force.

Bearing Preload Wave Washer ≠ Ordinary Flat Washer

A flat washer primarily provides a bearing surface.

A bearing preload wave washer provides elastic axial force.

Therefore:

Flat Washer → Bearing Interface / Load Distribution

Wave Washer → Spring Preload / Axial Compensation

Their engineering roles are different.

Bearing Preload Wave Washer ≠ Split Lock Washer

A split spring lock washer is associated with threaded fastening applications.

A bearing preload wave washer is selected primarily for controlled axial spring force.

Therefore:

Bearing Preload Washer ≠ Bolt Lock Washer

Using the word “spring washer” for both does not make them interchangeable.

Bearing Preload ≠ Bolt Preload

This distinction is critical.

Bolt Preload

Clamp force generated by tightening a threaded fastener.

Bearing Preload

A controlled load intentionally applied to a bearing arrangement.

A wave washer can apply bearing preload without controlling the main clamp force of a bolted joint.

Therefore:

Wave Washer Spring Force ≠ Bolt Preload

The Five Variables That Matter Most

A bearing preload wave washer is commonly controlled by five related parameters:

1. Inside / Shaft Clearance Diameter

2. Outside / Bore Diameter

3. Free Height

4. Working Height

5. Load at Working Height

Material thickness, wave count and material condition also influence performance.

For an engineered application, the most important commercial specification is often not simply the washer diameter.

It is:

Required Load at Required Working Height

Free Height

Free height is the washer's axial height before compression.

It represents the unloaded spring condition.

However, free height alone does not tell the engineer how much force the washer will generate in the assembly.

That requires the working condition.

Working Height

Working height is the installed axial height at which the washer is intended to operate.

Conceptually:

Deflection = Free Height − Working Height

As the washer is compressed, it generates spring force.

For procurement:

Free Height Without Working Height = Incomplete Spring Specification

Load at Working Height

This is one of the most commercially useful parameters for a bearing preload washer.

A supplier may need to know:

Required Load: ___ N

At Working Height: ___ mm

This is much more meaningful than:

“Need an M20 wave washer.”

Current commercial bearing-preload wave spring ranges are explicitly catalogued using parameters including load, work height, free height, number of waves, thickness and spring rate.

Why Bearing Diameter Alone Is Not Enough

Consider two motors using bearings with similar outside diameters.

Motor A may require relatively light axial preload.

Motor B may require a substantially different preload because of:

• bearing design;

• operating speed;

• rotor arrangement;

• housing geometry;

• temperature;

• tolerance stack.

A washer selected only from bearing OD may physically fit both systems while being mechanically suitable for only one.

Therefore:

Physical Fit ≠ Correct Bearing Preload

Tolerance Stack-Up Is Central to Wave Washer Selection

Real assemblies contain multiple toleranced dimensions.

For example:

Housing Depth

+ Bearing Width

+ Cover Position

+ Shoulder Location

= Installed Washer Cavity

Every dimension can vary.

As a result, the wave washer may not operate at one exact height.

It may operate across a range.

Minimum, Nominal and Maximum Working Height

A more professional bearing-preload analysis considers:

Minimum Working Height

Nominal Working Height

Maximum Working Height

Because wave-washer force changes with deflection, each working height can produce a different preload.

The engineering requirement is therefore not:

“Does the washer produce the correct force at nominal?”

It is:

“Does the washer produce an acceptable force across the entire assembly tolerance range?”

A Practical Tolerance-Stack Model

Consider:

Minimum Cavity Height → Least Washer Compression → Lower Spring Load

and:

Maximum Compression Condition → Greater Washer Deflection → Higher Spring Load

The actual direction depends on how the assembly dimensions are defined, but the principle remains:

Tolerance Stack Changes Working Height

and:

Working Height Changes Spring Load

This is one of the most important Information Gain points for wave-washer selection.

Why Too Little Bearing Preload Can Be a Problem

If spring preload is too low, the bearing arrangement may retain excessive internal movement.

Depending on the system, potential effects can include:

• excessive play;

• increased noise;

• reduced positioning stability;

• undesirable dynamic behavior.

Smalley identifies bearing spring preload as a means of reducing or eliminating play and maintaining contact between bearing elements and races.

Why Too Much Bearing Preload Can Be a Problem

More preload is not automatically better.

Excessive preload can increase:

• bearing friction;

• operating temperature;

• contact stress;

• power loss;

• wear.

For this reason:

Maximum Washer Load Must Be Checked

not merely minimum load.

The bearing manufacturer or validated equipment design should define the acceptable preload range.

The Correct Race Must Be Loaded

A wave washer should apply force through the intended bearing race.

The washer should not accidentally create an undesirable load path through components not designed to carry that spring force.

Engineers should define:

• which race is axially located;

• which race receives spring preload;

• which race must remain free to accommodate thermal or assembly movement.

The correct arrangement depends on the bearing system.

Thermal Expansion Changes the Bearing Stack

Rotating equipment rarely remains at assembly-room temperature.

During operation:

• shaft temperature can change;

• housing temperature can change;

• bearing temperature can change.

Different materials also have different thermal expansion behavior.

This can change the axial relationship between components.

A spring-preloaded arrangement can accommodate limited dimensional variation while continuing to apply force.

Smalley specifically identifies tolerance stack-up and thermal expansion/misalignment as reasons for using wave springs in bearing-preload systems.

Thermal Compensation Is Not Unlimited

A wave washer has finite travel.

If thermal movement exceeds its usable deflection range, the spring may become:

• insufficiently loaded;

• excessively compressed;

• permanently deformed.

Therefore:

Spring Preload Can Accommodate Thermal Variation

but:

Wave Washer ≠ Unlimited Thermal Compensation

Spring Rate

Spring rate describes how rapidly force changes with deflection.

Conceptually:

Spring Rate = ΔForce / ΔDeflection

A high spring rate means a small dimensional change can produce a larger change in force.

A lower spring rate can make preload less sensitive to dimensional variation.

However, the appropriate spring rate depends on:

• required preload;

• available travel;

• assembly tolerance;

• bearing requirement.

Why a Lower Spring Rate Can Be Useful

Imagine an assembly with unavoidable axial tolerance variation.

If the spring is extremely stiff, a small height variation may cause a large change in preload.

A more compliant spring may provide a narrower force variation across the same tolerance range.

This can be useful in bearing preload design.

But the spring must still provide sufficient minimum load.

Load-Deflection Curve

For critical applications, the engineering team should consider the actual load-deflection curve rather than relying only on a nominal spring-rate number.

The curve can show how the washer behaves between:

• minimum compression;

• nominal compression;

• maximum compression.

For custom parts, this can become an important inspection and validation requirement.

Free Height Can Be a Reference Dimension

Depending on spring design and supplier methodology, free height may be treated as a reference dimension while the functional requirement is controlled by load at working height.

For example, current commercial wave-spring product tables may identify free height and spring rate as reference values while directly specifying load and work height.

This suggests a useful procurement principle:

Control the Functional Spring Requirement—not only the unloaded geometry.

Single-Turn Bearing Preload Wave Springs

Single-turn wave springs are widely used for bearing preload.

They can be designed to fit within the bearing housing while applying a controlled axial load.

Current commercial bearing-preload series are available specifically to match common bearing sizes.

Wave Washer vs Single-Turn Wave Spring

Commercial terminology can overlap.

Traditional stamped wave washers and single-turn wave springs can both provide axial spring loading.

However, they may differ in:

• manufacturing method;

• radial behavior;

• gap or overlap configuration;

• spring characteristics;

• available sizes;

• precision.

For RFQs, use a drawing or sample rather than relying only on the phrase “wave washer.”

Gap-Type Wave Springs

Some single-turn wave springs incorporate a circumferential gap.

This can allow radial expansion as the spring compresses and help avoid binding in a bore.

This design can be particularly relevant when radial space is tightly controlled.

Overlap-Type Wave Springs

Overlap configurations are another available architecture.

The appropriate type depends on:

• installation envelope;

• required spring characteristics;

• radial movement;

• assembly design.

Do not substitute gap and overlap types automatically without review.

Multi-Wave Geometry

The number, height and shape of waves influence the spring's load-deflection behavior.

Therefore:

Same OD + Same ID ≠ Same Spring Force

Two visually similar wave washers may perform very differently.

Thickness Matters

Material thickness strongly influences spring behavior.

A small thickness change can materially change spring force.

For this reason, custom wave-washer procurement should control thickness tolerance where spring performance is important.

Material Selection Matters

Bearing preload wave washers may be manufactured from materials such as:

• carbon spring steel;

• stainless spring material;

• other engineered spring alloys.

Material choice can affect:

• spring behavior;

• corrosion resistance;

• temperature capability;

• fatigue performance.

The exact material should follow the application requirement.

Carbon Spring Steel

Carbon spring steel can provide suitable elastic properties for many industrial applications.

Where corrosion protection is required, the finish must be considered separately.

Do not assume bare spring steel is appropriate for every environment.

Stainless Spring Material

Stainless spring materials can be considered where corrosion resistance is required.

Commercial bearing-preload wave springs are available in carbon and stainless steel.

However:

Stainless Steel ≠ Corrosion-Proof

The actual alloy and environment remain important.

Surface Finish

Where applicable, specify:

• material;

• coating;

• passivation;

• corrosion requirement.

Do not define a generic coating merely because the component is called a wave washer.

Electric Motor Bearing Preload

Electric motors are one of the strongest application areas for bearing preload wave washers.

A simplified arrangement may include:

Motor Housing → Bearing → Wave Washer → End Bell

The wave washer can help:

• control axial play;

• accommodate assembly variation;

• maintain an axial load on the bearing.

The exact preload must follow the motor and bearing design.

Why Motor Noise Can Be Related to Bearing Play

Excessive clearance within a rotating assembly can contribute to unwanted movement and noise.

Appropriate spring preload can reduce bearing play.

Smalley identifies reduced play, noise and vibration among the potential benefits of properly designed bearing preload.

This should not be interpreted as:

Wave Washer = General Vibration Damper

The benefit is associated with controlling bearing clearance in the specific assembly.

Pumps

Pump assemblies can use spring preload in selected bearing systems.

Wave washers may help manage:

• axial bearing position;

• tolerance variation;

• thermal movement.

However:

Bearing Preload Washer ≠ Pump Seal

Fluid sealing must be handled by the appropriate sealing architecture.

Fans and Blowers

Electric fans and blowers can use wave washers in motor bearing assemblies.

Potential engineering objectives include:

• controlling end play;

• reducing unwanted bearing movement;

• accommodating housing tolerances.

This can be relevant to:

• HVAC blowers;

• industrial ventilation equipment;

• electronics cooling;

• data-center cooling systems.

HVAC Equipment

HVAC systems contain numerous:

• motors;

• fans;

• blowers;

• actuators;

• pumps.

Bearing preload wave washers can therefore be relevant to selected electromechanical components.

They should not be described as refrigerant seals or air seals.

AI Data Center Cooling Equipment

AI and HPC infrastructure requires substantial thermal-management hardware.

Potential wave-washer applications can exist in:

• cooling fans;

• blowers;

• pumps;

• motor-driven thermal-management equipment.

The relevant engineering path is:

Rotating Equipment → Bearing System → Preload Requirement → Wave Washer

not simply:

AI Data Center → Special Washer

Industrial Automation

Automation equipment can use bearing preload wave washers in:

• servo-related mechanisms;

• small motors;

• actuators;

• gear drives;

• positioning systems.

Where positioning accuracy matters, axial play and bearing behavior become particularly important.

Robotics

Potential applications include:

• actuator motors;

• compact gear systems;

• rotating joints;

• precision drive assemblies.

The preload requirement should be established from the bearing and mechanism design.

Automotive and EV Equipment

Wave washers may be used in selected:

• electric motors;

• pumps;

• actuators;

• auxiliary drives;

• thermal-management equipment;

• seat and adjustment mechanisms.

For safety-critical vehicle systems, application-specific validation and customer requirements control component approval.

Power Electronics Cooling Equipment

Power conversion and thermal-management systems may contain:

• fans;

• pumps;

• compact motors.

Wave washers can support the bearing systems inside these components where controlled axial spring force is required.

Telecommunications Equipment

Telecommunications hardware may use compact fans and motor-driven cooling systems.

Bearing preload washers can therefore appear inside the electromechanical equipment rather than in the structural cabinet joint itself.

Medical and Laboratory Equipment

Potential non-sterile applications include:

• laboratory motors;

• diagnostic-equipment mechanisms;

• pumps;

• precision positioning equipment.

A generic industrial wave washer should not automatically be described as medical-grade or biocompatible.

Aerospace Applications Require Qualification

Wave springs and preload components can be used in aerospace engineering.

However, a generic industrial wave washer should not automatically be promoted as flight-qualified.

Aerospace applications can require:

• controlled material;

• traceability;

• process qualification;

• inspection;

• customer approval.

JUXIN FASTENERS should therefore evaluate aerospace inquiries against the specific drawing and qualification requirements rather than making a general aerospace-compliance claim.

Bearing Preload Wave Washer Selection Matrix

Minimum and Maximum Preload Check

A practical design review can use two boundary conditions.

Condition A — Lowest Washer Compression

Determine:

• installed height;

• washer force.

Ask:

Is preload still high enough?

Condition B — Highest Washer Compression

Determine:

• installed height;

• washer force.

Ask:

Is preload still low enough to protect the bearing?

A good design must satisfy both.

Nominal Condition Is Not Enough

One of the most common engineering mistakes is testing only the nominal assembly.

A production line does not build only nominal dimensions.

Therefore:

Nominal Fit ≠ Production Robustness

Tolerance extremes should be considered before releasing the design.

Prototype Validation

For a new bearing-preload application, prototype validation can include:

• installed height;

• axial preload;

• end play;

• rotational behavior;

• motor current where relevant;

• bearing temperature;

• operating noise;

• thermal behavior;

• long-duration performance.

The validation plan should match the actual equipment requirement.

Fatigue

A bearing preload washer can experience repeated load variation during service.

Fatigue performance depends on:

• material;

• stress;

• working deflection;

• temperature;

• manufacturing process;

• cycle count.

Do not make a universal fatigue-life claim without application-specific data.

Permanent Set

Excessive compression can permanently reduce wave height.

This may reduce future preload.

Therefore:

More Compression ≠ More Reliable

The washer should operate within its intended elastic range.

Do Not Tighten Until Flat by Default

A wave washer is not a conventional flat washer waiting to be flattened.

Completely flattening the wave profile may exceed the intended working condition.

Installed height should come from the spring requirement.

No Universal Installation Orientation

For many annular wave-washer designs, there is no generic rule that one “wave side” must face the bearing.

Follow:

• drawing;

• spring geometry;

• assembly instructions.

Do not create an orientation requirement without a functional reason.

Wave Washer Is Not a Seal

The old claim that wave washers seal:

• oil;

• water;

• gas;

• refrigerant;

• hydraulic fluid

should not be used as a generic product function.

A bearing preload wave washer is a spring component.

Wave Washer Is Not a Metal O-Ring

Metal O-rings are engineered sealing components.

Bearing preload wave washers are engineered spring components.

Their circular shapes do not make them interchangeable.

Wave Washer Is Not Automatically an Anti-Loosening Washer

Bearing preload and threaded fastener locking are separate engineering tasks.

If a threaded joint requires anti-loosening performance, specify a locking mechanism independently.

Wave Washer Is Not Automatically a Surface-Protection Washer

A preload washer is selected around spring behavior.

If protection of a cosmetic or soft surface is the primary requirement, a plain, polymer or protective washer may be more appropriate.

Common Bearing Preload Wave Washer Mistakes

Mistake 1: Selecting by Bearing Diameter Alone

Physical fit does not define spring force.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Working Height

Load depends on deflection.

Mistake 3: Designing Only at Nominal Tolerance

Production assemblies operate across a tolerance range.

Mistake 4: Assuming More Preload Is Better

Excessive preload can harm bearing performance.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Thermal Expansion

Operating temperature can change the bearing stack.

Mistake 6: Confusing Bearing Preload with Bolt Preload

They are different mechanical functions.

Mistake 7: Treating Wave Washers as Seals

Spring force does not create an engineered fluid seal.

Mistake 8: Calling Them Universal Anti-Loosening Washers

Axial spring force does not automatically stop threaded rotation.

Mistake 9: Compressing the Washer Completely Flat

This may exceed the intended spring range.

Mistake 10: Buying by ID and OD Only

A functional RFQ should include load and working height.

Engineer Search Intent

Engineers may search:

• bearing preload wave washer;

• wave washer for ball bearing;

• motor bearing preload washer;

• bearing preload spring;

• wave washer load;

• wave washer working height;

• wave washer spring rate;

• axial preload washer;

• wave washer for motor bearing;

• bearing end play washer;

• bearing tolerance compensation;

• wave washer load deflection.

These searches indicate a real mechanical design task.

Procurement Search Intent

Purchasing and supplier-development teams may search:

• bearing preload wave washer manufacturer;

• bearing preload washer supplier;

• motor wave washer supplier;

• custom wave washer manufacturer;

• stainless bearing preload washer;

• spring steel wave washer supplier;

• precision wave washer;

• custom bearing spring washer;

• OEM wave washer supplier.

These searches are much closer to commercial RFQ intent.

Bearing Preload Wave Washer RFQ Checklist

For technical and commercial evaluation by JUXIN FASTENERS, provide where applicable:

• 2D drawing;

• 3D model where relevant;

• physical sample;

• customer part number;

• application;

• bearing manufacturer and designation where permitted;

• bearing type;

• bearing ID;

• bearing OD;

• bearing width;

• race receiving preload;

• required minimum preload;

• required nominal preload;

• allowable maximum preload;

• minimum working height;

• nominal working height;

• maximum working height;

• free height;

• washer ID / shaft clearance;

• washer OD / housing bore;

• material thickness;

• wave count;

• gap or overlap requirement where applicable;

• required spring rate where controlled;

• load-deflection requirement;

• tolerance stack;

• axial end-play requirement;

• operating temperature;

• thermal expansion requirement;

• operating speed where relevant;

• cycle requirement;

• material;

• carbon spring-steel requirement;

• stainless spring-material requirement;

• surface finish;

• corrosion requirement;

• sample quantity;

• prototype quantity;

• production quantity;

• estimated annual demand;

• load-test requirement;

• dimensional inspection requirement;

• packaging requirement;

• labeling requirement;

• customer-specific requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bearing preload wave washer?

It is an elastic wave-shaped component used to apply controlled axial spring force to a bearing.

Why preload a bearing?

Appropriate preload can reduce or control bearing play and maintain contact between rolling elements and bearing races.

Why use spring preload instead of fixed preload?

Spring preload can accommodate limited manufacturing tolerance and thermal dimensional variation while maintaining axial force.

Can too much bearing preload cause problems?

Yes.

The acceptable preload range depends on the bearing and equipment design. Excessive preload can increase friction, temperature and stress.

How do I select a bearing preload wave washer?

Start with required preload and assembly tolerance range. Then determine the required force at minimum, nominal and maximum working height.

Is free height enough to specify a wave washer?

No.

For a functional spring application, working height and load can be more important than free height alone.

What does working height mean?

It is the installed axial height at which the spring operates.

What is spring rate?

Spring rate describes how force changes as spring deflection changes.

Can a wave washer compensate for manufacturing tolerances?

Yes, within its designed working range. Bearing-preload wave springs are specifically used to accommodate dimensional variation.

Can a wave washer compensate for thermal expansion?

It can accommodate limited thermal dimensional change if the spring remains within its acceptable travel and force range.

Is a bearing preload wave washer a lock washer?

No inherent threaded-fastener locking capability should be assumed.

Is it a sealing washer?

No. Fluid sealing requires a dedicated sealing component or system.

Is it the same as a metal O-ring?

No. Metal O-rings are sealing components.

Can I order a wave washer only by bearing diameter?

For a simple replacement, a controlled drawing or exact part number may be sufficient. For a new engineered application, load and working height should also be defined.

Can JUXIN FASTENERS evaluate a custom bearing preload washer?

Custom requirements can be evaluated from a drawing, physical sample or defined installation envelope together with the required load, working height, material and quantity.

From “Need a Wave Washer” to a Controlled Bearing Preload RFQ

A purchasing inquiry may begin with:

“We need a wave washer for a 6203 bearing.”

That identifies the bearing.

It does not yet define the spring.

The engineering process should continue:

Which Bearing Race Receives the Axial Load?

What Preload Does the Bearing Arrangement Require?

What Is the Minimum Acceptable Preload?

What Is the Maximum Allowable Preload?

What Is the Minimum Installed Height?

What Is the Maximum Installed Height?

How Does Temperature Change the Stack?

What ID and OD Envelope Is Available?

What Material and Corrosion Requirement Apply?

The commercial sourcing path becomes:

Bearing → Preload Requirement → Tolerance Stack → Working Height Range → Force Range → Installation Envelope

 → Wave Geometry → Material → Prototype → Load Validation → OEM Approval → Production RFQ

This converts a generic washer inquiry into an engineered spring-component specification.

Bearing Preload Wave Washer Solutions from JUXIN FASTENERS

JUXIN FASTENERS supports OEM sourcing and customization of bearing preload wave washers, wave spring washers,

 curved spring washers, disc springs, plain washers, locking washers and related industrial fastening components.

Potential applications include:

• electric motors;

• industrial fans;

• blowers;

• pumps;

• gear systems;

• automation equipment;

• robotics;

• HVAC equipment;

• cooling systems;

• automotive and EV auxiliary systems;

• telecommunications equipment;

• AI data center cooling equipment;

• industrial machinery.

For the broader wave-washer engineering topic, refer to the JUXIN FASTENERS Wave Spring Washers: Bearing Preload, Axial Play, Load-Deflection & Selection Guide.

For broader washer-family selection, see Industrial Washers: Types, Functions & Selection Guide.

For general washer-and-bolt selection, see Washers and Bolts: Fastening Systems Selection Guide.

For higher-load conical spring systems, refer to the JUXIN FASTENERS Disc Springs & Belleville Washers: Load, Deflection, Stacking & Selection Guide.

For legacy bowed spring washers, refer to the JUXIN FASTENERS DIN 137 A Curved Spring Washers: Design, Selection, Load Behavior & Replacement Guide.

For anti-loosening requirements separate from bearing preload, see Nylon Insert Locknuts for Anti-Vibration Applications.

For bearing preload wave washer OEM RFQs, send your drawing or sample, bearing information, ID, OD, free height, working-height range, 

required preload range, material, finish, quantity and estimated annual demand to:

info@juxinfasteners.com

For a bearing preload wave washer, the most useful purchasing question is not:

“What washer fits this bearing?”

It is:

“What spring force must this washer maintain across the complete production tolerance and operating range?”