Originally Posted by
FBinNY
My friend at SKF asks that I correct this every time I see it.
Ball bearings are the complete assembly, including the inner and outer races, the seals and the balls. The balls themselves aren't bearings, they're just balls. If you wish you can call the bearing balls, so they're not confused with golf balls.
Excellent! Quite right - and I have been in the wrong for so many years. I really appreciate your pointing this out, but I am afraid I will find it hard to resist correcting others.