Cylindrical roller thrust bearings are suitable for heavy axial load accommodation. They are relatively insensitive to shock loads. They are very stiff and require little axial space. They are most commonly available as single direction bearings and can accommodate axial loads acting in single direction. Cylindrical thrust bearings may be produced in single row and double row designs. Double row patterns are mainly used where thrust ball bearings have insufficient load carrying capacity.

The cylindrical surface of the rollers is slightly relieved towards the ends. Thus the contact profile virtually eliminates damaging edge stresses. The bearings are of separable type, the individual components can be mounted separately.

Double direction cylindrical roller thrust bearings can easily be assembled by combining appropriate shaft washers or housing with two cylindrical roller and cage thrust assemblies and a suitable intermediate washer with internal or external centering. These intermediate washers should have the same quality and hardness as the bearing washers. 

In spherical roller thrust bearings the load is transmitted from one raceway to the other at an angle to the bearing axis. They can accommodate radial loads in addition to the acting axial loads. They are self-aligning making them insensitive to shaft deflection and misalignment of the shaft. Some bearing arrangements have a number of asymmetrical rollers. They can support very heavy axial loads and allow high-speed operation.
Some bearings have a pressed steel window-type cage, which, with the rollers, forms a non-separable assembly with the shaft washer. All other bearings have a machined brass or steel cage guided by a sleeve held in the shaft washer bore. The shaft washer and cage with rollers form a non-separable unit.
Dimensions - The boundary dimensions of spherical roller thrust bearings are in accordance with ISO.
Tolerance - Spherical roller thrust bearings are produced as standard to Normal tolerances. Depending on bearing size, the tolerances for the total height of standard bearings may be 20 to 50 % and for Explorer bearings are up to 70 % tighter than specified by ISO.
Misalignment
Spherical roller thrust ball bearings are self-aligning. They tolerate misalignment of the shaft relative to the housing, and shaft deflections during operation. The permissible misalignment is reduced as the load increases.