Thrust bearing for Macpherson strut - has ball cage with integrally formed lip seals and race retainers

摘要

MacPherson strut, forming part of the front suspension system of an automobile, has a thrust bearing serving as an abutment for the upper end of the coil spring. The thrust bearing has an upper race and lower race made from metal pressings which form tracks for a row of balls. The balls are retained in spherical depressions in the plastic e.g. polyester, polyurethane, polyamide or polyolefin cage. The cage has bent over rims which hold the races together. In addition lips which project from the cage and press against the inner surfaces of the races form seals which retain the lubricant and prevent the ingress of dirt. This combination of cage with bearing seals and retainers simplifies the assembly of the bearing.