🔍 Key Concepts

• Distinguish between journal bearings (support radial loads on a rotating shaft) and thrust bearings (control axial movement along the shaft). • Notice whether the bearing surface is a continuous sleeve, two matching halves, or multiple separate tilting pads. • Look closely at any splits or joints in both the bearing shell and the housing to decide if it is a single-piece bushing or a split insert type.

💭 Think About

• Does the illustration show the bearing supporting the shaft radially around its circumference, or is it primarily taking load on a flat face for axial thrust? • Do you see several individual pads that could tilt independently, or one smooth, continuous inner surface? • Is there evidence that the bearing is made in two matching halves that can be assembled around the shaft, or does it appear to be a one-piece sleeve pressed into the housing?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify whether any thrust collars or thrust faces are visible on the shaft or bearing – these are needed for a thrust bearing. • Check if the bearing surface is divided into separate tilting pads or is a single continuous arc. • Confirm whether there is a clear split line indicating two bearing halves instead of a single-piece bushing.