Clutch thrust bearing unit with guided elastic self-alignment

A guided self-aligning clutch release bearing mountable on a guide tube in a clutch assembly, comprising:

• an anti-friction bearing with rolling parts;
• an outer bearing-race ring and an inner bearing-race ring slidably axially with respect to the guide tube, one of said bearing-race rings having a first radial flange having two diametrically opposite radial extensions;
• an elastic sleeve on the interior of said inner bearing-race ring, having a plurality of resilient internal projections substantially parallel to the bearing center line, sloping relative to the radial direction;
• a rigid guide socket having at least a portion thereof lying radially inwardly of the inner bearing-race ring and in direct slidable contact with the guide tube, said portion being also in direct external contact with said resilient projections, said guide socket having a second radial flange in frictional guiding contact with the first radial flange of said one bearing-race ring,
• said internal projections of said elastic sleeve comprising means for permitting radial movement of said inner bearing-race ring and for restoring said inner bearing-race ring to concentric relation with the portion of said guide socket which is contacted by said projections, and
• at least one stop means protruding axially in the direction of the bearing and adapted to contact one of said radial extensions upon rotation of said one bearing-race ring, said stop means being disposed where it will not jam the movement of the radial flange toward the stop means.