In this study, a numerical analysis for the piston secondary dynamics of small refrigeration reciprocating compressors is performed. In general, the length of cylinder in this class of compressors is shortened to diminish the frictional losses of the piston-cylinder system. So, the contacting length between piston and cylinder wall is in variable with the rotating crank angle around the BDC of the reciprocating piston. In the problem formulation of the piston dynamics, the change in bearing length of the piston and all corresponding forces and moments are considered in order to determine the piston trajectory, velocity and acceleration at each step. A Newton-Raphson procedure was employed in solving the secondary dynamic equations of the piston. The developed computer program can be used to calculate the entire piston trajectory and the hydrodynamic force and moment as functions of crank angle under compressor running conditions. The results explored the effects of the radial clearance, lubricant viscosity, length of the cylinder wall, and pin location on the stability of the piston.