Friction-reducing turbocharger

A turbocharger or turbocharger component comprising:

• an annular unison ring comprising an outward-facing surface and an outward-facing race disposed on the outward-facing surface;
• a first nozzle ring comprising an inward-facing circular wall, the inward-facing circular wall comprising an inward-facing race, the inward-facing race and the outward-facing race defining a bearing race;
• a set of ball bearings disposed within the bearing race, wherein, when the turbocharger or turbocharger component is in an operational mode, the annular unison ring rotationally engages the first nozzle ring via the set of ball bearings, wherein the annular unison ring is devoid of direct contact with the first nozzle ring;
• a plurality of vane assemblies, each vane assembly comprising a vane, wherein each vane assembly is engaged with the annular unison ring such that rotation of the annular unison ring causes rotation of each vane assembly when the turbocharger or turbocharger component is in the operational mode;
• the annular unison ring defining an inner insertion recess;
• and
• the inward-facing circular wall defining an outer insertion recess, wherein the inner insertion recess and the outer insertion recess, when rotationally aligned, define a ball bearing insertion recess through which a ball bearing of the set of ball bearings may be inserted into the bearing race, wherein, in the operational mode, rotation of the annular unison ring relative to the first nozzle ring is limited such that the inner insertion recess and the outer insertion recess cannot be rotationally aligned in this mode.