48 comprises the bearing pad 28 disposed on the outer end of the piston 11 the open center torus 48 has an opening 50 at its center for passage of pressurized fluid for lubrication the open center torus 48 is circumferentially attached around its inwardly directed side against the piston 11 thereof to insure an immovable relationship with respect to the outer end of the piston 11 the bearing pad 28 area of each hydrostatic piston assembly 10 is greater than the area of the inner end of the piston 11 which applies the roll deflection controlling pressure the bearing pad 28 is supplied with the fluid usually oil at a fluid pressure substantially equal to the pressure applied to the inner end of the piston 11 but which flows through the flow restrictor 36 the flow through of fluid is required for operation of a hydrostatic bearing the inside surface of the roll shell 14 forms the bearing runner the pressurized fluid applied to each hydrostatic bearing assembly 10 does not force the bearing pad 28 into direct contact with the inside of the roll shell 14 fluid pressure on the inner end of each hydrostatic piston assembly 10 forces the piston 11 radially outwardly from its orifice 22 within the shaft 12 toward the inside of the roll shell 14 and also causing the pressurized fluid to flow through the restrictor 36 and into the channel 30 then to the bearing pad 28 which has a larger piston surface area than the inner end of the piston 11 the fluid escapes from the pressurizable toroidal bearing pad 28 at a rate dependent on the pressure the hydrostatic piston assembly 10 applies to the toroidal bearing pad 28 if the pressure upon the hydrostatic piston assembly 10.