I\'ve seen these mentioned a lot when it comes to turbo charges, and haven\'t a clue what it means really. So could someone explain to me what it means, what it does for your car/turbo, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of such an item.
Cheers! :)
Its all to do with the thrust bearing in the turbo. The main bearing takes radial loads (the journal bearing) and the thrust bearing takes the axial loads.
A 360 degree bearing has thrust pad material a full 360 degree\'s around the shaft whereas most of the lower spec units may only have say 120 degree\'s of thrust pads to take the thrust loads.
I would have though the advantage of a 360 degree bearing would be an increased load capacity. Although I\'m not 100% sure when the axial loads would be present, probably during closed throttle etc. as I\'m sure the turbo\'s design will be to have the thrust from the turbine side and compressor side to near as possible cancel each other out at normal operating loads