I just looked at the z axis on my 3020T and the lead screw is supported with one bearing on the top plate and either a bearing or sleeve on the bottom plate and the motor is connected with a flexi coupler so those bearings are being used to support axial loads even though there radial bearings. I cant see the difference by using the stepper bearings to replace that type of set up. Im using a 420oz nema 23 fitted with 6000z bearings.
I think i will make a stand to hold a nema 23 to replicate a z axis position with a 10kg weight mounted to a shaft hanging from the motor shaft to replicate what my setup and run the motor till the motor bearings fail !!
Again the point is to build this machine using using draw slides, I have a new set of 20mm supported rails with ball screws but i dont want to make a mid end machine. If it works great if it doesn't then ill make changes but for now ill do it how i wanted to do it and see how it turns out