Sleeve bearing

A pump for use in a fluid delivery system, said pump comprising:

• a head portion comprising a discharge outlet;
• a motor coupled to the head portion for actuating portions of the pump;
• a column pipe extending from the head portion;
• a line shaft internal to the column pipe and coupled to the motor for actuation during pump operation;
• a sleeve bearing positioned between the column pipe and line shaft for aligning and rotatively supporting the line shaft, wherein the sleeve bearing further comprises:
• a bearing retainer including an outer surface and an inner surface wherein said inner surface forms a retaining bore;
• a bearing insert including an outside surface and an inside surface wherein the inside surface forms a shaft bore;
• and wherein the bearing insert is coupled to the bearing retainer;
• and
• one or more impellers coupled to the line shaft.

A method of manufacturing a sleeve bearing for use in a fluid delivery system, said method comprising steps of:

• forming a bearing retainer including an outer surface and an inner surface wherein the inner surface forms a retaining bore;
• forming a bearing insert including an outside surface and an inside surface wherein the inside surface forms a shaft bore;
• and
• coupling the bearing insert to the bearing retainer.