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.

The axial load carrying capacity of angular contact ball bearings increases as the contact angle increases. The contact angle is defined as the angle between the line joining the points of contact of the ball and the raceways in the radial plane, along which the combined load is transmitted from one raceway to another, and a line perpendicular to the bearing axis.

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.

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.

Four-point contact ball bearings are radial single row angular contact ball bearings with raceways that are designed to support axial loads in both directions. For a given axial load, a limited radial load can also be supported. The bearings are separable, i.e. the outer ring with ball and cage assembly can be mounted separately from the two inner ring halves.