Thrust ball bearings are manufactured as single direction or double direction thrust ball bearings. They are designed to accommodate axial loads only and must not be subjected to any radial load. These bearings are separable, allowing the shaft washer, housing washer(s), ball and cage assembly(s) to be mounted individually. Shaft washers have a ground bore to enable an interference fit. The bore of the housing washer is turned and always larger than the shaft washer bore.
Single Direction – thrust ball bearings consist of a shaft washer, a housing washer and a ball and cage assembly. These bearings can accommodate axial loads and locate a shaft axially, in one direction only.
Double Direction – thrust ball bearings consist of one shaft washer, two housing washers and two ball and cage assemblies. The housing washers and ball and cage assemblies of double direction bearings are identical to those used in single direction bearings. These bearings can accommodate axial loads and locate a shaft axially, in both directions.