Angular contact ball bearings have inner and outer ring raceways that are displaced relative to each other in the direction of the bearing axis. This means that these bearings are designed to accommodate combined loads, i.e. simultaneously acting radial and axial loads.

     single row angular contact ball bearings can accommodate axial loads in one direction only. This type of bearing is typically adjusted against a second bearing. Their bearing rings have an upper and a lower shoulder and are non-separable

    The load lines of the angular contact bearings back to back are separated from the bearing shaft. It can withstand axial loads acting in both directions, but the load in each direction can only be absorbed by one bearing. Back-to-back mounted bearings provide a relatively rigid bearing configuration and can withstand overturning moments.