Patent ID: 8371759

Claim:
A double row rolling bearing for supporting a pinion shaft, comprising: an outer ring that includes a larger-diameter raceway and a smaller-diameter raceway which are formed in two rows on an inner peripheral surface thereof; and an inner ring assembly that includes: an inner ring that includes a larger-diameter raceway and a smaller-diameter raceway which are formed in two rows on an outer peripheral surface thereof and are opposed respectively to the larger-diameter and smaller-diameter raceways of the outer ring in a radial direction; a larger-diameter row of rolling elements disposed between the larger-diameter raceways of the outer and inner raceways; a smaller-diameter row of rolling elements disposed between the smaller-diameter raceways of the outer and inner raceways; a larger-diameter cage that holds the larger diameter row of rolling elements and includes a flange-like drop limitation portion extending radially inwardly from an axially-inner end portion thereof; and a smaller-diameter cage that holds the smaller-diameter row of rolling elements, wherein the drop limitation portion is configured such that when the rolling bearing is being assembled, the outer ring is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of a case with an axis there of being disposed horizontally, and the inner ring assembly fitted on the pinion shaft is inserted horizontally into the outer ring through a larger-diameter opening of the outer ring to be mounted in the outer ring while the drop limitation portion prevents the larger-diameter row of rolling elements from dropping in an amount exceeding a predetermined value and, when larger-diameter row of rolling elements is disposed between the larger-diameter raceways of the outer and inner raceways a gap is provided between the drop limitation portion and the inner ring.