A thrust bearing assembly includes an upper thrust bearing and a lower
thrust bearing for use in an engine assembly of a vehicle and which, are
preferably, identically configured. The upper and lower thrust bearings
each include an arcuate bearing shell with a concave inner surface and a
convex outer surface and each may be formed with a pair of axially spaced
flanges extending radially outwardly of the bearing shells. The flanges
may be formed as one piece with the bearing shell and the thickness of
one of the flanges is greater than that of the other of the flanges. The
thicker flanges are load bearing and preferably contoured, whereas the
thinner flanges are not. The bearings are installed with the thick flange
of each bearing matched radially opposite the thin flange of the
companion bearing to minimize fatigue and failure normally attributed to
repeated seating and unseating of the bearing assemblies having flanges
of equal thickness caused by changing bending loads imparted by a shaft.