The present invention provides a method and apparatus for retaining
bearing balls in a bearing assembly. For example, a cage assembly may
comprise an annular cage having a plurality of pockets in which to
snap-in bearing balls via openings having a width less than the diameter
of the bearing balls. A retainer ring for the cage may have an inner
diameter that is equal to the inner diameter of the cage. The cage
assembly may comprise a plurality of cage webs, wherein each cage web is
located between two adjacent pockets, and each cage web may be tapered
(either radially, axially, or both radially and axially). The plurality
of cage webs may be tapered such that the cage webs are tapered towards a
distal end of each cage web and away from a proximal end of each cage
web. An outer land may pilot the bearing assembly.