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MS14103-5 – Bombardier Aerospace OEM Self-Lubricating Spherical Bearing
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Overview
The MS14103-5 is a military-specification, self-aligning, and self-lubricating plain spherical bearing, specified by Bombardier Aerospace for use in flight-critical applications on their Global, Challenger, and Learjet series of aircraft. This is an advanced sliding-contact bearing engineered to create a durable, low-friction pivot point that can accommodate significant angular misalignment. Its primary function is in high-load, oscillatory, and low-speed rotational joints, such as those found in flight control systems, landing gear linkages, and powerplant control systems.
The bearing's construction features a hardened, corrosion-resistant steel outer ring with a proprietary, woven Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) liner bonded to its inner diameter. The inner ball, also made of hardened, corrosion-resistant steel, pivots against this self-lubricating liner. This maintenance-free design eliminates the need for grease, a critical advantage in the difficult-to-service areas of a modern airframe. The grooved outer ring is designed for V-groove staking, providing positive mechanical retention in its housing. For any application on a Bombardier aircraft requiring a robust, maintenance-free, and misaligning pivot, this certified MS14103-5 is the definitive engineering solution.
Key Features
Mil-Spec Certified: Manufactured and inspected in strict accordance with the MS14103 military standard, guaranteeing material, dimensional, and load-rating integrity.
Self-Lubricating PTFE Liner: Features a woven fabric liner of PTFE (Teflon®), providing a continuous, low-friction surface that eliminates the need for lubrication throughout its service life.
Self-Aligning Spherical Design: The ball-and-socket geometry allows the inner ball to misalign relative to the outer ring, accommodating structural flex and preventing binding in critical linkages.
Corrosion-Resistant Steel Construction: Both the inner ball and outer ring are fabricated from high-strength, precipitation-hardened or through-hardened stainless steel for maximum strength and corrosion resistance.
Grooved Outer Ring for Staking: The outer diameter features a precision-machined V-groove designed to accept a staked housing lip, providing a secure, positive retention of the bearing.
Technical Specifications
Part Number / Specification: MS14103-5
Component Type: Plain Spherical Bearing, Self-Aligning, Self-Lubricating
OEM Designator: Bombardier Aerospace
Bore Diameter (-5): 5/16 inch (0.3125")
Outer Ring Material: Corrosion-Resistant Steel (CRES), e.g., 17-4PH.
Inner Ball Material: Corrosion-Resistant Steel (CRES), e.g., 440C, through-hardened.
Liner System: Woven PTFE fabric with a high-strength bonding resin.
Governing Specification: MS14103, NASM14103.
Aircraft Compatibility
Bombardier Aerospace: This is a standard mil-spec bearing used across the Bombardier family of business jets where a bearing with these specifications is required by the engineering drawings. Common aircraft families include:
Global Series (Global 5000, 6000, 7500)
Challenger Series (300/350, 604/605/650)
Learjet Series
Applicable Bombardier Aircraft
- Challenger 600
- Challenger 601
- Challenger 601-3A/3R
- Challenger 604
- Challenger 605
- Challenger 650
- Learjet 40
- Learjet 45 / 45XR
- Learjet 70
- Learjet 75
Note: The correct bearing for any application must be verified against the aircraft's specific Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) or maintenance manual.
Applications
Flight Control Systems: Used at the pivot points for ailerons, elevators, rudders, flaps, spoilers, and their associated actuator linkages.
Landing Gear: A critical component in retraction mechanisms, torque links, shock strut attachments, and steering systems.
Powerplant Systems: Used in engine thrust reverser cascades, pylon attachments, and engine control linkages.
Why Choose MS14103-5?
The failure of a bearing in a primary flight control or landing gear system on a high-performance business jet would be catastrophic. The certified MS14103-5 is an engineered system where the materials, liner technology, and manufacturing processes are all designed to handle the specific loads and environmental conditions of their intended application. A non-certified, commercial-grade bearing may use an inferior liner that can fail or wear out rapidly under the high loads and vibratory dither common in aircraft. It may be made from materials without the required strength or corrosion resistance. Sourcing a fully traceable, Bombardier-specified mil-spec bearing is the only way to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these critical moving joints.
The engineering science behind the MS14103-5's self-lubricating liner is a triumph of tribology and composite materials. The liner is not a simple coating; it is a complex, multi-layered system. It typically consists of a woven fabric of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibers and other high-strength fibers (like glass, aramid, or polyester) that is impregnated with and bonded to the outer race by a high-strength thermosetting resin (such as a phenolic or epoxy). The weave of the fabric creates a durable matrix that mechanically locks the low-friction PTFE in place, preventing it from cold-flowing or extruding under the high compressive loads a bearing experiences in service. During operation, a microscopic layer of PTFE is transferred from the liner to the surface of the inner ball, creating a dynamic, self-renewing, solid-film lubricant with an extremely low coefficient of friction. This composite structure provides both the high load-carrying capacity of a metal bearing and the maintenance-free, low-friction properties of a lubricated joint.
Note: The MS14103-5 is a flight-critical component. Installation requires specialized tooling and techniques. It is typically a press fit into the housing and must be installed using a properly designed arbor that applies force only to the outer ring to avoid damaging the liner. After installation, the housing must be properly staked into the bearing's V-groove using a calibrated staking tool. Improper installation can lead to premature failure of the bearing or the surrounding structure.
Documentation
MS14103 Standard: The military standard sheet (e.g., NASM14103) defines all dimensional, material, and performance requirements for this series of bearings and is publicly available through various online mil-spec libraries.
