A backing ring that serves to back an antifriction bearing on the journal
of a rail car axle includes an annular body that seats against a fillet
that is located at the end of the journal and also a lip that projects
over a larger dust guard diameter that is located on the axle immediately
beyond the fillet. In addition, the backing ring includes a stabilizing
element which cooperates with the lip and with the dust guard diameter to
lessen the tendency of the annular body to work against the fillet and
create a fretting wear when the journal undergoes cyclic flexures. The
stabilizing element accommodates dust guard diameters of varying size.
The stabilizing element may also establish a seal between the lip and the
dust guard diameter.