Increase in Axial Shift and Thrust Bearing Temperature

If it keeps increasing you should shut it down before something moving meets something stationary. I am assuming that you have a Kingsbury type thrust bearing and that you replaced the active side shoes(pads) in Nov 2009. Did you use some sort of laminated shims during that procedure? Deformation of shim stock, especially if used in thin layers, can allow horizontal movement. Insufficient oil flow or pressure to the Kingsbury can prevent sufficient pressure from developing as can excessive wear due to improper shoes being installed or improper installation procedure. I don't think that you could have installed the leveling shoes incorrectly or used the wrong side shoes and still be running. I would also wonder if you have more than one point of oil injection and if so are all points receiving equal pressure or flow or if any of them have separate filters/strainers that were not cleaned out after the replacement was completed.

Contamination of your oil can lead to degradation of your pads hence a breakdown of the surfaces and improper film wedge being built up with movement and higher temperatures resulting. I assume that you're running your oil through a centrifuge to remove water and other contaminants as well as having magnets to check for any metal deterioration of the steel parts.

I would also assume that you are replacing parts with OEM material and not some after-market supplier because the savings aren't worth the cost of a rotor repair.