Volvo Penta Needle Roller Bearing Assembly 181268
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Volvo Penta Needle Roller Bearing Assembly – Part No. 181268
Part Number: 181268
Alternate Format: 181268-4
Brand: Volvo Penta
Product Type: Needle Roller Bearing Assembly
System: Upper Gear Unit / Vertical Shaft — Stern Drive & Saildrive
Location: Vertical shaft bearing position in the upper gear / reverse-gear assembly
Sold As: Individual bearing (some assemblies require 4 per drive)
The Volvo Penta 181268 is a genuine OEM needle roller bearing assembly for the vertical shaft in the upper gear unit of selected AQ stern drives and saildrives. Needle roller bearings carry high radial loads in a compact envelope — well suited to the confined shaft and housing geometry found in these older Volvo Penta drive assemblies. Parts diagrams place this bearing alongside the shaft, sliding sleeve, spacer rings, and related gearing components in the upper gear / reverse-gear assembly.
Compatible Applications
- Volvo Penta AQ100A — upper gear unit, vertical shaft
- Volvo Penta AQ100B — upper gear unit, vertical shaft
- Volvo Penta 100S Saildrive — upper gear assembly
- Volvo Penta 110S Saildrive — upper gear assembly
- Reverse-gear and upper-drive assemblies used with MD6A, MD7A, MD7B, MD11D, MD21B, and AQD21B engines — depending on installed drive configuration
Fitment is determined by drive or transmission model, not engine model alone. Always confirm by the drive's serial number and the correct parts diagram position before ordering. Some configurations require 4 bearings per drive — verify quantity in your exploded parts diagram.
Supersession & Cross-Reference
- Active OEM Number: 181268
- Alternate Format: 181268-4 (same bearing family)
- No confirmed Volvo Penta supersession to a newer number has been identified in current drive diagrams. Verify current OEM status by serial number at time of ordering.
When This Bearing Needs Replacement
Replace the 181268 when the original bearing shows any of the following during upper gear or drive disassembly:
- Roughness or binding when rotated by hand
- Radial looseness or play on the shaft
- Pitting, scoring, or corrosion on rollers or races
- Visible wear, cage damage, or roller dropout
- Gear noise or shaft movement that traces to the upper gear area
Replacement is typically part of a planned upper gear or drive overhaul, or in response to play or noise found during inspection. Worn needle bearings in this location can accelerate wear on surrounding transmission components if left in service.
Installation Notes
- Compare the replacement directly to the removed original — confirm roller diameter, cage width, and housing fit before pressing in
- Inspect mating shaft journals, spacer rings, snap rings, and adjacent gears for wear before assembly
- Keep the bearing and gearcase components clean during assembly
- Follow lubrication and assembly procedures specified in the Volvo Penta service manual for the applicable drive
- No OEM-published dimensional specifications (ID, OD, width) are available in current public references for this number — dimension matching to the removed original is recommended
Technical FAQ
Q: How many of these bearings does my drive need?
A: Some upper gear assemblies in the AQ100-series and 100S/110S saildrives use four needle roller bearings in total. Check your exploded parts diagram to confirm the quantity for your specific configuration.
Q: Do I match by engine or by drive model?
A: By drive model. The MD-series and AQD-series engines can be paired with different drive configurations, each with its own upper gear bearing arrangement. Use the drive or transmission serial number and the corresponding parts diagram, not just the engine number.
Q: Is there a newer superseding part number?
A: No confirmed Volvo Penta supersession has been identified in current drive diagrams. Confirm current OEM status with your serial number when ordering.
Q: Can I use the alternate number 181268-4?
A: Yes — 181268-4 appears as an alternate format in the same bearing family. Verify with your parts diagram that both reference the same bearing position in your drive.
Parts Desk Insights
Best Use Case: Planned upper gear or drive overhaul on AQ100A, AQ100B, 100S, or 110S drives. This is a service part best ordered as part of a complete upper gear rebuild rather than a standalone replacement — it gives you the opportunity to inspect all surrounding components at the same time.
Common Issue: The most frequent mistake is ordering by application family rather than confirmed drive serial number and diagram position. "Upper gear bearing" describes a location — there can be more than one needle roller bearing in that area, and they can vary in size even within the same drive family. Always identify the exact position in the exploded diagram using the drive serial number before ordering. Customers who skip this step occasionally receive a bearing that fits the drive family but not the specific shaft position.
Related Parts
Shipping information
In-stock and OEM parts: ship same or next business day.
Locally warehoused items: ship within 1-3 business days.
Special-order items: timeline confirmed after order.
Returns & warranty
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