Abstract: A linear slide of the type having a carriage member and a base member arranged for relative axial back and forth movement within an opening defined between the carriage and base members, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between rails disposed in the carriage member and the base member, the improvement including: providing the rolling elements loosely disposed in at least one linear group between the carriage member and the base member, without retainers, wherein the length of the at least one linear group can be greater than the product of the diameter of the rolling elements times the number thereof.