The axial needle roller and cage assembly is the basic component of axial needle roller bearings. The needle rollers are retained and guided in pockets arranged radially in the cages. For shaft diameters less than 10mm, the cage is made from plastic. For larger diameters, the cage is made from profiled and surface hardened steel strip. The high accuracy of the needle rollers ensures uniform load distribution. As axial needle roller and cage assemblies are guided on the shaft, this results in relatively low circumferential speeds on the guiding surface even at high speeds.