Abstract <p>The possibility of determining the friction torques in the system of self-lubricating plain bearings by temperature data taking into account the shaft rotation speed is considered. The inverse problem of the determination of correlating with the friction torque time functions of frictional heat generation by temperature measurements in each bearing is solved by the method of iterative regularization. The results of comparing the calculated and the total friction torque measured by an inductive sensor are given.</p>