Abstract: Disclosed is a self-lubricating thrust bearing having a number of axially-aligned parts. The bearing is preferably in cartridge form and includes an internal circular spring. The spring is located between two adjacent disks and functions to force the disks apart when the bearing loading is below a predetermined amount. In this manner, when the bearing loading is low, the spring applies pressure to the bearing's components and any attached structure. When the bearing loading exceeds a predetermined amount, the spring becomes compressed sufficiently to enable direct contact between the disks while not interfering with the rotational movement of any part of the bearing. The spring can be made of any resilient material, such as spring steel or an elastomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-lubricating thrust bearing having a number of axially-aligned parts. The bearing is preferably in cartridge form and includes an internal circular spring. The spring is located between two adjacent disks and functions to force the disks apart when the bearing loading is below a predetermined amount. In this manner, when the bearing loading is low, the spring applies pressure to the bearing's components and any attached structure. When the bearing loading exceeds a predetermined amount, the spring becomes compressed sufficiently to enable direct contact between the disks while not interfering with the rotational movement of any part of the bearing. The spring can be made of any resilient material, such as spring steel or an elastomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-lubricating thrust bearing having a number of axially-aligned parts. The bearing is preferably in cartridge form and includes an internal circular spring. The spring is located between two adjacent disks and functions to force the disks apart when the bearing loading is below a predetermined amount. In this manner, when the bearing loading is low, the spring applies pressure to the bearing's components and any attached structure. When the bearing loading exceeds a predetermined amount, the spring becomes compressed sufficiently to enable direct contact between the disks while not interfering with the rotational movement of any part of the bearing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-lubricating thrust bearing having a number of axially-aligned parts. The bearing is preferably in cartridge form and includes an internal circular spring. The spring is located between two adjacent disks and functions to force the disks apart when the bearing loading is below a predetermined amount. In this manner, when the bearing loading is low, the spring applies pressure to the bearing's components and any attached structure. When the bearing loading exceeds a predetermined amount, the spring becomes compressed sufficiently to enable direct contact between the disks while not interfering with the rotational movement of any part of the bearing.

Abstract: A bearing may consist of one or more components where relative motion can take place between the bearing surface and a mating surface and where the mating surface may be a component of the bearing. Many bearings are circular and may be installed and secured in a housing by swaging an annular outer lip into an annular chamfer of the housing. A tool is provided for facilitating the removal of the bearing. The tool employs one or more cutter teeth which engage the swaged lip of the bearing. Axial force applied to the cutter while it is rotated effectively cuts away the annular lip thereby allowing the bearing to be pressed out of the housing. The cutter may be used in conjunction with other tool components which include (a) a bolt which extends through the center of the circular bearing, (b) centering rings which correctly orient the bolt relative to the annular lip of the bearing, (c) a nut and (d) Belleville washers which are disposed between the nut and the cutter.