Low-friction, abrasion resistant systems of replaceable bearing surfaces and methods of using the system are disclosed. The system comprises a device having at least one recess, each recess having a groove in an inner wall of the recess; a plurality of replaceable bearing surfaces adapted to be inserted into and removed from the at least one recess without damaging the device; and at least one snap ring adapted to engage the groove in each recess and secure a replaceable bearing surface within the recess.

A method of assembling a bearing assembly includes fitting a first ring onto a first end of a gear shaft. A second ring is fed into a slot in the first ring. The second ring is driven through the slot in the first ring. The second ring is positioned within the first ring. The second ring is positioned about the gear shaft such that a first end and a second end of the second ring are covered by a solid portion of the first ring.

A journal foil bearing includes a bearing retainer having one slot configured to receive a top foil leading edge tab and another slot configured to receive a top foil trailing edge tab. A backup support structure, integral to the bearing retainer, extends between and is at least partially defined by the slots. The retainer is configured so that, during operation, the trailing edge tab further contacts, at an increased contact pressure, the support structure at a position close to the friction force, thereby minimizing top foil bending stress and improving bearing strength.

A housing for a bevel gear includes a pinion bearing seat configured to support a pinion bearing for a driveshaft having a drive pinion. The housing also includes an attachment structure configured to attach a support bearing seat to the housing such that the position of the support bearing seat with respect to the pinion bearing seat is variable in the radial direction.

A thrust bearing includes a bearing retainer including a first ring and a second ring radially spaced from the first ring, the first ring and the second ring defining an annular passageway therebetween, and at least two bearing pad retaining arrangements extending from a first surface of the second ring, each bearing pad retaining arrangement defining a retaining channel therein, and at least two bearing pads circumferentially spaced within the bearing retainer. The bearing pads may be held within the bearing retainer via the bearing pad arrangements.

A toolkit for mounting a bearing onto a seating includes an adapter sleeve radially interposable between the inner ring and the seating and having a tapered portion configured to mate with a tapered bore of the inner ring and a threaded portion configured to extend away from the bearing, a hydraulic nut having a threaded bore and an axially moveable piston, a hydraulic pump configured to increase a hydraulic pressure inside the hydraulic nut, a driving tube configured to be interposed axially between the side face of the inner ring of the bearing and the piston, and a reaction sleeve configured to be interposed between the hydraulic nut and the adapter sleeve and including a first threaded portion configured to engage the threaded portion of the adapter sleeve and a second threaded portion configured to engage the threaded bore of the hydraulic nut. Also a method of using the toolkit.