The FOSS CFD-SPH SPHERA v.9.0.0 (RSE SpA) code has been improved to deal with ‘fluid – solid body’ interactions in ‘no-slip’ conditions in a laminar flow regime, to simulate hydrodynamic lubrication. The code has been validated on a uniform sliding bearing (i.e., constant liquid thickness) and a linear sliding bearing (i.e., variable thickness with linear law along the main direction of motion). The validations refer to comparisons with analytical solutions, here generalized to consider any Dirichlet conditions. This study also allows a first validation of the code for ‘fluid – fixed boundary’ interactions in ‘no-slip’ conditions. Certain distinctive features are highlighted compared to most of the models representing the state of the art (2D codes based on the Reynolds equation for liquid films): (1) 3D formulation of all terms of the Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible fluids at uniform viscosity; (2) validation on local and global quantities (pressure and velocity profiles; bearing capacity); (3) ability to simulate any 3D topology. This study also shows the advantages of using a CFD-SPH code in simulating 3D and inertial effects near the bearing edges, and opens up new research directions beyond the limitations of hydrodynamic lubrication codes based on the Reynolds equation for liquid films. This study allows SPHERA to address hydrodynamic lubrication and improves the code for other notable fields of application involving fluid-structure interactions (e.g., solid bodies transported by floods and landslides; rock slides). SPHERA is developed and distributed on a public digital archive of the github.com platform.