Edge welded sliding bearing

A method of joining a sliding bearing to a component, comprising:

• providing a concave bearing seat in the component;
• positioning a convex outer surface of a metal backing of the sliding bearing against the concave bearing seat of the component with at least one layer of bearing material being bonded to a concave inner surface of the backing;
• and
• welding only lateral edge portions of the backing to the component defining edge welds which are spaced across a central region of the backing between the edge welds, and isolating the bearing metal from any heat affected zone resulting from welding.

A combination of a component and a sliding bearing for supporting a member for movement relative to said component, said combination comprising:

• a metal backing of the bearing having a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface extending longitudinally between opposite ends and laterally between opposite edge regions of said backing;
• at least one layer of a relatively softer bearing material applied to said concave inner surface of said backing;
• a concave seat of said component supporting said convex outer surface of said metal backing;
• and
• said backing being edge welded only along said edge regions to said component for securing said bearing to said component, and said edge welding producing a heat affected zone which is spaced from said bearing metal.