A bearing for use in a water pump or similar apparatus and a method of
assembling the bearing. The bearing has a stepped shaft and a counterbored
raceway at the fan or pulley end which allows for use of a larger number
of balls in the raceway at the fan or pulley end, and which allows for
using larger balls at the impeller end. The method of assembly of the
bearing includes assembling balls and a cage to form a ball and cage
assembly, assembling ball and cage assembly into the outer race at its
pulley end, then sliding the shaft, impeller end first, into the outer
race through the pulley end such that the first inner raceway and the
first balls align with the first outer raceway. The shaft is then
displaced in a direction perpendicular to its axial centerline within the
outer race. A second plurality of balls is inserted onto the shaft within
the outer race at its second outer raceway end, and a second cage is
inserted over the shaft and within the outer race to surround the second
plurality of balls.
