A self-aligning ball bearing assembly (11, 31) comprising: a generally annular retainer (12, 32) having a central axis, an outside wall, and an inside wall, the inside wall is shaped to define a generally conical primary bearing surface oriented at a first acute angle relative to the axis of the retainer (12, 32) and a secondary bearing surface that is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the axis of the retainer (12, 32), the second acute angle being less acute than the first acute angle, the inside wall defining a surface oriented at an angle relative to the central axis of the retainer to define a bearing seat; and wherein the outside wall is generally frustroconical in shape having a smaller diameter at one end and a larger diameter at an opposite end; characterised by a ball bearing (13, 35) having an outer race and an inner race, the outer race having an arcuate outside wall; the ball bearing (13, 35) being disposed in the retainer (12, 32) with its arcuate outside wall resting against the bearing seat of the inside wall of the retainer (12, 32); and an elastomeric compression ring (10, 30) mounted within the retainer (12, 32) at a location spaced from the bearing seat, and bearing against the arcuate outside wall of the outer race of the ball bearing (13, 35), the elastomeric compression ring (10, 30) being positioned to apply force to the outer race to hold it against the primary bearing surface; the elastomeric compression ring (10, 30) permitting spherical movement of outer race of the ball bearing (13, 35) within the retainer (12, 32) to provide self alignment while preventing rotational movement of the outer race as the inner race rotates in response to a shaft rotation and wherein the ball bearing (13, 35) is movable within the retainer (12, 32) when a shaft is inserted into the ball bearing such that a central axis of the ball bearing substantially aligns itself with an axis of the shaft, such that the central axis of the ball bearing (13, 35) may move between about +5 degrees and about -5 degrees with respect to the central axis of the retainer (12, 32). a generally annular retainer (12, 32) having a central axis, an outside wall, and an inside wall, the inside wall is shaped to define a generally conical primary bearing surface oriented at a first acute angle relative to the axis of the retainer (12, 32) and a secondary bearing surface that is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the axis of the retainer (12, 32), the second acute angle being less acute than the first acute angle, the inside wall defining a surface oriented at an angle relative to the central axis of the retainer to define a bearing seat; and wherein the outside wall is generally frustroconical in shape having a smaller diameter at one end and a larger diameter at an opposite end; a ball bearing (13, 35) having an outer race and an inner race, the outer race having an arcuate outside wall; the ball bearing (13, 35) being disposed in the retainer (12, 32) with its arcuate outside wall resting against the bearing seat of the inside wall of the retainer (12, 32); and an elastomeric compression ring (10, 30) mounted within the retainer (12, 32) at a location spaced from the bearing seat, and bearing against the arcuate outside wall of the outer race of the ball bearing (13, 35), the elastomeric compression ring (10, 30) being positioned to apply force to the outer race to hold it against the primary bearing surface;