Abstract: Mehtod and apparatus is disclosed for use in a machine which collects and assembles needle bearings in an annular array and uses a mandrel to insert the array into a cylindrical opening in a receiving member. The mandrel is centered within the bore of a recover block to define an annular space into which a discrete number of needle bearings are singularly fed from an especially configured track which holds a vertical, serpentine column of needle bearings. A push rod engages the column to positively force a discrete number of bearings into the space while a grease packing is inserted about the bearings as they fill the space.