Custom machined part
Plastic bushings
- Types
- Sleeve, flanged, shoulder & seal
- Fits
- Your existing housing
- Runs
- Dry, in suitable duty
- Reorders
- Specs kept on file
Machined plastic sleeve bushings, including PTFE (Teflon) bushings, that fit the housing already on your machine. Matched to your worn bushing or made to your drawing, from one part to production runs.
- ±0.002"–±0.005" on critical dimensions
- Family owned in Aurora since 1986
- Expedited service for breakdowns
Types of bushing
A sleeve that stays in its housing
The housing stays on the machine and only the sleeve is replaced. Find the shape closest to yours.
- DIAGRAM: plain sleeve bushing, section view
Plain sleeve
A straight cylinder pressed into the housing, with the shaft running in its bore.
- DIAGRAM: flanged bushing, section view
Flanged
A flange locates it in the housing. Designed for it, the flange can also take an end load.
- DIAGRAM: shoulder bushing, section view
Shoulder
An outside step that locates it in the housing. It doesn’t necessarily carry thrust.
- DIAGRAM: seal bushing, section view
Seal bushing
Carries or sits beside a seal, often with O-ring grooves. We can fit the O-rings.
Split bushings are available too, for fitting without pulling the shaft.
Getting the fit right
Free bore vs installed bore
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Grips the housing
The outside is sized slightly larger than the housing bore so it holds in place.
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Bore closes in
Pressing it in squeezes the bore a little smaller.
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Clearance is what counts
The running clearance to the shaft once installed is what decides how it runs.
Tell us whether your drawing gives the free bore or the installed bore, plus the housing bore and the shaft size. We’ll quote to the right one.
What defines a bushing
Housing, bushing and shaft
A bushing sits between the housing and the shaft, so we machine it to fit both.
- Housing bore
- Housing material
- Condition
- How the bushing is held
The part
Bushing
- Length
- Flange or shoulder
- Grooves or splits
- Free or installed bore
- The material note, exactly as written
Inside
Shaft
- Diameter, material and finish
- Rotating, rocking or sliding
- Speed, load and duty
- Lubricated or dry
A worn bushing won’t show its original clearance. Send the shaft and housing sizes with it.
Getting a quote
Start with what you have
Any one of these is enough to get a quote started. Pick yours to see what helps.
Send the drawing and we machine to it.
- Free or installed bore
- Quantity
- Plastic, if specified
Upload drawings, CAD files or photos on the quote form.
Send the old bushing, with the shaft and housing sizes.
- How it failed
- Motion and load
- Quantity
Upload drawings, CAD files or photos on the quote form.
Tell us your part number or the last order.
- Part number or PO
- Quantity
- Anything that’s changed
Upload drawings, CAD files or photos on the quote form.
Plastics for bushings
Common choices, and why
- PTFE Very low friction and broad chemical resistance. Soft, and can creep under load.
- Acetal Stiff and dimensionally stable, so the bore holds its size.
- Nylon Strong and wear-resistant. It takes on moisture, which we allow for in the bore.
- Oil-filled nylon Added lubricity for running dry.
- UHMW For wet, lighter-duty service.
- PEEK For heat and harsh chemicals.
- Detectable grades Metal- and X-ray-detectable plastics, for lines with inspection systems.
We’ll suggest suitable plastics for your bushings. These are the common ones; we machine most engineering plastics.
Compare materialsChoosing a material
Plastic or bronze bushings
We machine bronze too, so the choice comes down to the duty. Here’s an honest guide. Replacing metal with plastic
Where plastic helps
- Can run dry
- In suitable duty, with no grease to wash out or contaminate product.
- No corrosion
- Unaffected by water and washdown.
- Chemical resistance
- Many plastics handle chemicals that attack bronze.
- Quiet
- No metal-on-metal at the bore.
- Lighter
- Easier to handle and fit.
Machined in Aurora
How your bushings are made
±0.002"–
±0.005"
On critical dimensions, depending on the plastic. Specs and CAD files are kept, so a reorder matches the last batch.
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Turned concentric
Outside and bore turned together on CNC turning centers, so they stay concentric.
CNC turning -
Flanges, shoulders and grooves
Every step, groove and split machined to your drawing or old bushing.
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Seals fitted, ready to install
Seal bushings delivered with their O-rings fitted, so there’s no second supplier.
Evaluating a supplier? See the shop and how we check the work.
Buyer questions
Plastic bushing FAQs
Something else? Call (630) 904-2525.
Yes. Teflon is a brand name for PTFE, which comes in virgin and filled grades that behave differently. Tell us exactly what your drawing or old order says, and how the bushing runs.
Only if it’s designed to. Many shoulders just locate the bushing in the housing. If yours takes an end load, tell us the load and what it runs against.
Yes. Specifications and CAD files are kept for future orders, and reorders use a shorter form. Give us the part number or the last order.
We hold ±0.002" to ±0.005" on critical dimensions, depending on the plastic. We review your drawing and confirm the critical dimensions, such as the bore and outside diameter, with your quote.
Timing depends on the bushing, material and quantity, and comes with your quote. For an emergency breakdown, ask about our expedited service.
Not a bushing?
Find the right part
We machine almost any plastic part. If yours isn’t listed, describe it in a quote request.
Standard quote
Ready to send your bushing details?
Experienced help from your first quote to the finished part.