The subject invention provides a thrust bearing assembly having only three thrust flanges in total. One portion of the thrust bearing assembly comprises a main bearing having an arcuate bearing shell with a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface. A thrust washer having hydrodynamic features abuts one of the edges of the main bearing and extends radially outwardly from the outer surface thereof forming a thrust surface. The other of the edges of the main bearing is free of a flange. The free edge of the main bearing is preferably spaced inward from other thrust surfaces and the edge has a substantially narrower width than the other thrust surfaces. The other portion of the assembly may include a traditional thrust bearing having one thrust flange with hydrodynamic features and another thrust flange free of hydrodynamic features, both extending radially outwardly therefrom or may include another main bearing abutting a pair of thrust washers, one having hydrodynamic features and one free of hydrodynamic features, extending radially outwardly from the other main bearing. In either configuration, the thrust flange or thrust washer that is free of hydrodynamic features is opposite the thrust washer having hydrodynamic features of the main bearing.