METHOD OF IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF A TURBOCHARGER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A BALL BEARING, ASSOCIATED PRODUCT AND TURBOCHARGER

A product and method for use with a turbocharger system may include a housing with a shaft rotatably supported by the housing. The shaft may extend in an axial direction. A bearing assembly may support the shaft in the housing. A wheel may be connected to the shaft and may rotate relative to the housing. A clearance opening may be defined in the axial direction between the wheel and the housing. A thrust washer may be engaged with the bearing assembly. The thrust washer may have an outer circumference and may be movable relative to the housing. An efficiency washer may be disposed around the outer circumference of the thrust washer and may determine the clearance opening by defining a space within which the thrust washer moves relative to the housing in the axial direction.