Abstract: An bearing assembly comprises a housing having a tapered interior bore, a ball bearing element, a ball bearing retainer disposed within the housing, wherein the ball bearing retainer has an interior bore for receiving the ball bearing element. The sides of the ball bearing retainer comprise a plurality of slots defining a plurality of fingers. The ball bearing element is disposed within the interior bore of the ball bearing retainer. A spring mechanism for maintaining a prescribed tension of the ball bearing element within the interior bore of the ball bearing retainer is disposed within the tapered interior bore of the housing. The bearing assembly may also include a locking mechanism for retaining the ball bearing element, the ball bearing retainer and the spring mechanism within the housing.