An axle has a journal to which an antifriction bearing is fitted on an enlarged or dust guard section located beyond the journal, with a fillet leading from the journal up to the enlarged section. A backing ring fits over and against the fillet of the journal and has a counterbore that receives the adjacent end of the enlarged section. A stabilizing ring fits into the counterbore of the backing ring and around the enlarged section of the journal to stabilize the backing ring and thereby reduce radial and circumferential movement between it and the fillet of the journal. The stabilizing ring includes a rigidifying element that fits over the enlarged section of the axle with an interference fit and a more flexible compression member that lies within the counterbore where it exists in a state of compression between the counterbore and the rigidifying element. The stabilizing ring allows some microaxial movement of the backing ring.