Abstract: A hermetic compressor assembly including a housing having mounted therein a motor and a compression mechanism which are operatively coupled by a drive shaft. The drive shaft is rotatably received in a bearing mounted in the housing. Engaging means are provided in the drive shaft and the bearing to prevent relative movement between the compression mechanism and the drive shaft in both directions along the drive shaft axis of rotation. The engaging means includes a circumferential groove provided in the drive shaft, a bore located in the bearing, and a retaining element may be in the form of a ball or an elongate pin. The circumferential groove and the bore are aligned and each receive a portion of a retaining element to prevent axial movement of the drive shaft.