In modern machine tools, spindle units significantly contribute to thermo-elastic tool center point (TCP) errors. Correction models to compensate axial spindle expansion are currently based on linear temperature models. Despite existing expert knowledge of spindle manufacturers, considerable modelling effort and empirical studies are required to parametrize appropriate models. As a result, the experimental effort is often reduced to a small number of load cases leading to limited accuracy over the entire range of applications. The goal of this work is to reduce the current experimental effort for parameterization of thermo-elastic correction models to a minimum by parametrizing delay elements with a thermo-elastic spindle simulation. In consequence, the required experimental effort can be substituted by bearing friction tests.