To provide a variable displacement type axial piston unit capable of minimizing the wear caused by a mechanical friction.

This unit comprises an extension part 92 branching in three ways, and a universal joint 90 furnished at the end of the extension part with a bearing outer ring 94 coupled in such a way as rotatable in the circumferential direction of the extension part 92 and foldable in its axial direction is mounted on a shaft 40, and a shoe holder assembly 80 including a joint hole 82 to admit insertion of the universal joint is coupled with the swash plate 70 slidably thereon, and the power is transmitted or coupled while the bearing outer ring 94 complies with the position of the shoe 81 varying in the process that the shoe 81 slides along the swash plate 70 and rotates.