Buy Thrust Bearings & Washers Online in Australia
Thrust Bearing Selection — Quick Reference
Thrust bearings carry AXIAL loads (along the shaft) — not radial. Selection turns on load type (light positional vs heavy continuous), space constraints, and rotation speed. Wrong selection = bearing failure, shaft scoring, or housing damage.
| Thrust Bearing Type | Best For | Load Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Thrust Needle Roller (AXK + Washers) | Compact axial load, automatic transmissions, clutch packs | Moderate – high (high P/V ratio) |
| NTB Series (NSK/Koyo) | Compact assemblies, gearboxes, pumps, compressors | Moderate – high |
| Cage & Roller Only (NTA) | Custom stack height, replacing rolling element only | Per assembly — match washers |
| Polymer Cage (AXK.TN) | High-speed applications, weight-sensitive assemblies | High-speed rated |
| Shaft Washer (WS) | Inner running surface — replace when scored | Per bearing pair |
| Housing Washer (GS) | Outer mounting surface — replace when scored | Per bearing pair |
| Thrust Ball Bearing (51100 Series) | Light axial positioning, lazy susans, low-load shafts | Light only — no shock load |
| Spherical Thrust Roller | Heavy axial + some misalignment — cranes, large shafts | Heavy — handles misalignment |
| Cylindrical Thrust Roller | Heavy continuous axial — heavy machinery | Highest axial capacity |
Critical: Thrust needle bearings need flat, hardened washers (Rc 58+ HRc) — soft washers wear and fail. Always replace washers as a set with the bearing. Brands: IKO, Koyo. Companion: needle roller bearings, bearings, thrust bearing guide, bearing maintenance guide.
Thrust Bearings & Washers
Thrust needle roller bearings and thrust washers handle axial loads in compact assemblies where standard thrust ball or roller bearings would be too large. AIMS Industrial stocks a comprehensive selection of thrust needle roller components from IKO and Koyo, including complete assemblies, cage and roller sets, and individual shaft and housing washers.
Complete Thrust Needle Roller Bearings
Full-assembly thrust needle roller bearings — AXK and NTB series — consist of a cage-and-roller assembly sandwiched between a shaft washer (WS) and a housing washer (GS). Available in metric dimensions covering a wide bore range, these bearings suit applications such as automatic transmissions, clutch mechanisms, pumps and compressors.
Cage & Roller Assemblies
Cage and roller assemblies (NTA series) can be combined with separately sourced washers where the application requires a custom stack height or where replacing only the rolling element is practical. Polymer cage variants (AXK.TN) reduce weight and inertia in high-speed applications.
Shaft & Housing Washers
Shaft washers (WS inner ring) and housing washers (GS outer ring) are stocked individually for replacement applications and for building custom thrust bearing stacks. Also available: flat-back single-direction thrust ball bearings (51100 series) for lower-load axial positioning applications.
Related: Needle Roller Bearings | Ball Bearings | All Bearings