adjacent spring members 13 the number of spacers 19 between adjacent rings being equal to the number of shoes 7 the spacers 19 between one set of adjacent rings 13a and 13b being intermediately disposed with respect to the bosses 11 or 17 and spacers 19 between the other set of adjacent rings 13 being disposed in alignment with the bosses 11 or 17 a base ring 23 having a u shaped cross section formed in half segments is disposed to encircle the spring members 13 and spacers 19 spacers 19 are also disposed between the arcuate spring member 13c and the base ring 23 these spacers 19 are also intermediately disposed with respect to the bosses 11 and 17 the spacers 19 are preferably fastened or attached to or are integral with one of the arcuate members so that their position generally remains fixed with respect to the bosses 11 or 17 the steps or connecting means 15 are disposed midway between spacers 19 or spaces 19 and bosses 11 and 17 for when so disposed the bending moment at the connecting means 15 is zero the base ring 23 is disposed in a housing 25 which is rigidly mounted to resist thrust appled by the shaft through the thrust bearing a filler piece 27 of the desired thickness is disposed between the housing 25 and the base ring 23 to adjust the end play within the bearing an oil seal 29 such as a bronze or elastomer ring or other type of sealing means is disposed adjacent the shaft to retain oil within the housing during operation the disposition of the bosses 11 and 17 the spacers 19 and the location and disposition of the connection between segments.