A liquid dispensing pump includes a lead screw having a lead screw shaft extending along a lead screw axis, and the lead screwing is operably connected to a piston connected to a liquid reservoir. A thrust bearing is connected to the lead screw and configured to support an axial force on the lead screw when dispensing liquid. A magnet is engaged to the thrust bearing so as to move in response to the axial force on the lead screw. A magnetic transducer is mounted in proximity to the magnet and configured to generate an output signal in responsive to the magnet move.
