Parts for your 1989 Mitsubishi Pajero-Thrust bearing

1989 Mitsubishi Pajero thrust-bearing: what it does and when to replace it

Based on Mitsubishi’s factory workshop material for the late-1980s Pajero (L040/V10 series) and the Mitsubishi ASA parts catalogue, the 1989 Pajero fitted with a manual gearbox uses a clutch release thrust-bearing as part of the clutch assembly (Workshop Manual Group 21 – Clutch). The engine itself also employs crankshaft thrust bearings/washers in the bottom end (Workshop Manual Group 11A – Engine). Automatic-transmission models don’t use a clutch release thrust-bearing, but still have crankshaft thrust control in the engine. So for a 1989 Pajero with a manual, a thrust-bearing is absolutely relevant and serviceable.

On a manual 1989 Pajero, the clutch thrust-bearing (often just called the release bearing) sits on the clutch fork and presses on the pressure plate’s diaphragm fingers when the clutch pedal’s pushed. Its whole job is to let the rotating clutch assembly be disengaged smoothly without chewing itself to bits. When it’s healthy, gear changes are clean and quiet. When it starts to go, drivers may notice growling or chirping with the pedal down, a notchy pedal feel, or clutch engagement that’s rougher than it should be.

Best practice is to treat the thrust-bearing as a replace-it-while-you’re-there item whenever the clutch is out. On the Pajero, the gearbox has to be removed to access the clutch, so saving a few dollars by reusing an old bearing can turn into doing the whole job twice. A quality bearing matched to the clutch kit keeps pedal effort consistent and protects the pressure plate fingers.

• Typical service cues: noise with the pedal depressed, clutch drag, or visible roughness if inspected out of the vehicle.
• Replacement tips: always check the clutch fork pivot, clip springs, and the release bearing guide tube for wear, a dry, slight smear of the correct high-temp grease on the guide is fine—don’t overdo it.
• Do the lot: combine the thrust-bearing with a new clutch disc, pressure plate, and pilot/spigot bearing, and have the flywheel inspected and machined if needed.
• Hydraulics matter: a lazy or leaking master/slave cylinder can make a good thrust-bearing seem bad. Bleed and inspect the hydraulics at the same time.

For autos, there’s no clutch thrust-bearing to worry about, but the engine’s crankshaft thrust bearings still need clean oil and correct idle/line pressure settings to avoid thrust wear.

Popular questions

Does a 1989 Mitsubishi Pajero have a thrust-bearing?

Manual models do: the clutch release thrust-bearing is part of the clutch system, as set out in Mitsubishi’s clutch section of the workshop manual. Automatic models don’t use a clutch release bearing, though the engine still has thrust control at the crankshaft.

What are the signs the Pajero’s thrust-bearing is failing?

Common giveaways are a rumbling or chirping noise when the clutch pedal is pressed, a slightly crunchy or inconsistent pedal feel, and occasional difficulty selecting gears. If the noise disappears when the pedal’s released, the release bearing is a prime suspect.

Should the thrust-bearing be replaced on its own?

It can be, but it’s smarter to replace it with the full clutch kit. The gearbox has to come out anyway, so doing the disc, pressure plate, pilot/spigot bearing, and inspecting the flywheel saves time, labour, and headaches down the track.