Stepped outer diameter semi-floating bearing

An exemplary bearing assembly for a turbocharger includes a center housing with a bearing bore having a bearing bore turbine end radius and an inlet for lubricant and a unitary bearing disposed in the bearing bore and forming an outer lubricant film between the bearing and the bearing bore wherein the bearing includes a central axis, an internal bore to receive a shaft extending between a compressor end and a turbine end of the bearing and forming an inner lubricant film between the internal bore and the shaft, a locating mechanism between axial ends of the bearing to prevent rotation and translation of the bearing within the bearing bore and a turbine end protrusion wherein the protrusion comprises a radius that exceeds the bearing bore turbine end radius to thereby deflect lubricant from the outer lubricant film layer radially outward. Other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.