The invention relates to a method for friction welding components (35) during which both components are rotated relative to one another during a heating phase under mutual axial pressing force (F) generated by a pressing force actuator (8a) at the location to be welded when component (3) is at rest and when driven component (5) is rotating. In addition, after the components (3, 5) have been subjected to a sufficient friction heating, the rotating is slowed down and the components, which are stationary with regard to one another, are pressed together with a pressing force that is significantly greater than that during the heating phase. The rotated component (5) is driven by an electric motor (7), which is provided with a controller (19) and whose rotational speed (n), torque (RF), pressing force (F) and advancing depth (S) are measured by the controller. The rotational speed is, according to an axial initial pressing force (F) between both components, set by the controller to an initial rotational speed that causes the contact surfaces of both components to melt, and is maintained until the torque drops as a result of the melting of the contact surfaces of both components, during which the rotational speed is decreased and is reduced to zero. Once the rotational speed is zero, the pressing force is increased to a maximum so that the fixed welding ensues on the contact surfaces of both components.