Abstract: This invention is a thrust bearing comprising a circumferential ring of pivotally mounted thrust pads and in order to make a much more simple bearing than the previously known kind in which each pad is supported from a thrust ring mounted within the housing, in the present invention each pad is supported on its individual thrust pillar which is itself supported against a wall of the bearing housing. There is a ring for locating the pillars circumferentially but that does not play any part in carrying axial loads or in permitting tilting of each thrust pad on its pillar.