Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly includes a carrier member having formed therein an annular slot, a plurality of bearing members, which may be thrust pads or guide members, being received within the slot. Each bearing member has a radially outer surface and an opposed radially inner surface, two spaced regions of the radially outer surface making bearing contact with the associated radially outer sidewall of the annular slot, and a region of the radially inner surface of the bearing member making bearing contact with the associated radially inner sidewall of the annular slot. The bearing contacts prevent, for each bearing member in the carrier member, both radial movement and rotational movement about an axis through the bearing member, and are such that the bearing members are capable of being fitted into slots within a wide range of curvatures.