The design of thrust (axial) ball bearings is intended solely to operate with considerable axial load, any radial load is unacceptable for them. Single thrust (axial) ball bearings can accommodate axial loads in one direction only, but double thrust (axial) ball bearings can accommodate axial loads acting in both directions.

As a rule, one of the bearing washers is produced tight to fit on the shaft and the others are loose to be installed in the housing. Thrust (axial) ball bearings with flat loose washer do not allow any, even slight, angular misalignment between the shaft and the housing. If it is necessary to provide unit operation with initial angular misalignment, bearings with loose sphered seat washers should be used. Usually thrust (axial) ball bearings are produced split, which simplifies their mounting, but for special applications they can have stamped protective shield, which makes the whole construction undetachable.

Thrust (axial) ball bearings are produced with pressed steel cages, with machined cages of brass, steel, aluminum alloys or glass fibre reinforced polyamide. If it is necessary to provide extremely high axial load capacity, these bearings can be manufactured without cage with the maximum number of balls.