Unitized Thrust Needle Bearings for Eccentric Applications(pic)

(Service life 4 times longer in torque converter applications!) NTN Bearing Corporation has developed a unitized type thrust needle bearing to meet demands for a long-life thrust needle bearing in eccentric, or off-centering, applications such as torque converters. The centerlines of the engine and torque converter axis where the thrust bearings are used can be somewhat eccentric, or off-center. When the thrust bearing is exposed to this eccentricity, the bent lip sections of the bearing raceways make contact with the bearing cage causing heat, friction, and potentially catastrophic bearing damage. Consequently, the industry needs a thrust bearing for these applications that satisfies the following 2 points: