Abstract: A roller cam follower has a transverse bearing shaft that is restrained against substantial lateral motion in a follower body supporting the shaft which rotatably carries a cam follower roller. The follower roller is rotatably mounted in a recess between opposite sides of the body on the transverse bearing shaft, which is supported in shaft bores through the sides of the body. One or more retainers are pressed onto the shaft within the recess and are operatively engageable with the sides of the body to limit axial motion of the shaft in said shaft bores. Various embodiments of retainers are disclosed as are applications to various types of roller cam followers, such as valve lifters, finger followers and rocker arms.

Abstract: A cam follower roller bearing shaft is restrained against lateral motion in shaft support bores of the follower body by plugging the bore ends with retainer plugs in or adjacent the ends of the bores. Soft metal or plastic bearing materials may be pressed or molded in the bore ends or in recesses in the follower body at the ends of the bores. Other forms of mechanical retention are disclosed. A fixture for pressing in plugs cut from plastic strips is also disclosed. Applications of the plugs in roller valve lifters, roller finger followers and rocker arm roller followers are disclosed.