A thrust bearing configuration for rotary applications includes a shaft (12) having an external surface (14) and a housing (16) having an internal surface (18). The housing and the shaft are adapted for relative rotational movement. Inner bearing support members (22) extend radially outwardly from the external surface of the shaft in axially spaced relation. Outer bearing support members (26) extend radially inwardly from the internal surface of the housing. A bearing pad (24, 28) is disposed between each one of the inner bearing support members and an adjacent one of the outer bearing support members. With the described configuration an axial force exerted upon the shaft is transmitted from the shaft through each of the inner bearing support members and bearing pads to the outer bearing support members and the housing. This thrust bearing acts like a bearing stack. It is possible to stack any number of these bearing pads to withstand anticipated axial loads.