A thrust bearing is a particular type of bearing. Most commonly used in automotive applications, the characteristic that makes it distinct is that it can cope with axial thrust - along the axis of the shaft that it supports. This is necessary because for smoothness and quietness, helical gears (vs. straight gears) are used for the forward gears in modern car gearboxes. Helical gears cause axial forces that need to be dealt with. A bearing is a component used to reduce friction in a machine. ... Axial has different meanings: In geometry it means: along the same line as an axis (coaxial) or centerline: parallel (geometry), contrary to radial or perpendicular In anatomy it relates to an anatomical direction of animals and humans. ... Spur gears found on a piece of farm equipment. ... A gearbox is an assembly of gears allowing the rotational speed of an input shaft to be changed to a different speed. ...

Thrust bearings come in several varieties. Ball thrust bearings, composed of ball bearings supported in a ring, can be used in low thrust applications, where there is little radial load. Roller thrust bearings consist of small rollers arranged so that their axes are all on radial lines from the centre of the bearing. They can support larger thrust loads than the ball type, but still little in terms of radial load. Tapered roller bearings are the type most commonly used in automotive applications, where they are used in pairs to accommodate axial thrust in either direction, and also radial loads. Nickel-chrome plated steel balls A ball bearing is a common type of rolling-element bearing, a kind of bearing. ... A radial is a line drawn along a vector. ...

One specific thrust bearing in an automobile is the clutch 'throw out' bearing (also called Clutch Release bearing). A clutch is a subcomponent of an engines transmission designed to allow engagement or disengagement of the engine to the gearbox or whatever apparatus is being driven. ...