Stator side plate for a torque converter

A side plate for a torque converter stator, comprising:

• an annular segment having an inner circumferential surface and a top surface;
• at least one protrusion extending radially inward beyond said inner circumferential surface, wherein said at least one protrusion comprises a race retaining surface substantially parallel to said top surface and said inner circumferential surface and said race retaining surface are arranged to center and retain, respectively, an inner race for said stator;
• at least one annular protrusion, separate from said at least one protrusion, extending from said top surface, proximate an outer edge for said annular segment, and arranged to center a bearing for said stator;
• and,
• at least one slot in said annular segment, wherein a bearing for said stator comprises an inner circumference and an outer circumference, and said at least one slot crosses a respective plane formed by a circumference selected from the group consisting of said inner and outer circumferences.

A method for engaging an inner race and a bearing for a stator in a torque converter, comprising:

• stamping said plate to form at least one first, second, and third surfaces, respectively, and at least one slot;
• retaining said inner race in said stator with said at least one first surface;
• centering said inner race with said at least one second surface;
• radially centering said bearing with said at least one third surface, wherein radially centering includes centering the bearing with respect to a center point for the plate;
• and,
• providing oil flow through said side plate with said at least one slot, wherein said plate further comprises a top surface and wherein stamping said plate to form said at least one third surface further comprises forming an annular protrusion extending from said top surface and including a fourth surface substantially orthogonal to said top surface.