A pivot bearing cartridge for use in a head stack assembly. The pivot bearing cartridge includes a pivot shaft including a shaft body and a shaft distal end. The pivot bearing cartridge further includes a cap disposed about the pivot shaft. The cap includes a cap annular body and a cap closed end. The pivot bearing cartridge further includes a ball bearing set in mechanical communication with the pivot shaft and the cap annular body. The pivot bearing cartridge further includes a central pivot element disposed between and in mechanical communication with the shaft distal end and the cap closed end for facilitating rotation of the cap relative to the pivot shaft.