To provide a method of assembling a one-piece metallic ball bearing cage.

This method of assembling a ball bearing assembly is achieved through a step of forming the one-piece metallic ball bearing cage having a bridge portion between ball pockets, at least a portion of the bridge portion having a predetermined chordal length; a step of positioning bearing balls in an annular space between an inner ring and an outer ring and separating the bearing balls by an average chordal distance less than the predetermined chordal length; and a step of inserting the ball bearing cage into the annular space such that circumferential movement of the bearing balls allows the bridge portion of the ball bearing cage to pass between the adjacent bearing balls as the bearing balls sequentially enter the ball pockets.