Parts for your 1997 Daihatsu Gran move-Thrust bearing

1997 Daihatsu Gran Move Thrust Bearing — What It Does and When To Replace It

Based on the Daihatsu Gran Move/Pyzar G3-series workshop information and Daihatsu parts catalogues for the 1996–2002 models, the 1997 Gran Move fitted with the 5‑speed manual transmission uses a clutch release thrust bearing (often called the throw‑out bearing). Automatic versions use a torque converter and do not have a clutch release thrust bearing. The engine itself also has crankshaft thrust washers inside the main bearings, but those aren’t a routine service item.

For manual 1997 Gran Move owners, the thrust bearing’s job is simple but critical: it sits on the clutch release mechanism and presses on the diaphragm spring when the clutch pedal is pushed. That pressure lets the clutch disengage cleanly so gears can be selected without drama. A healthy bearing runs quiet and smooth, a tired one will make itself known with noises and a rough clutch feel.

Because the gearbox has to come out to access it, the thrust bearing is commonly replaced whenever the clutch is done. It’s standard practice across Daihatsu manuals of this era (as reflected in factory service procedures) to fit a full clutch kit—disc, pressure plate, and release/thrust bearing—so everything wears in together and you don’t pay labour twice.

• Typical symptoms of a worn thrust bearing:
  • Whirring, chirping, or grinding noise that changes when the clutch pedal is pressed.
  • A notchier pedal feel or vibration through the pedal under the ball of the foot.
  • Harder gear selection or clutch engagement that feels inconsistent.
• Good servicing tips:
  • If the clutch is out for any reason, replace the thrust bearing as preventative maintenance.
  • Lightly lubricate the release fork pivot and input shaft splines with the correct high‑temp grease—keep grease off the friction surfaces.
  • Check the release fork, pivot ball, and clutch cable (if cable‑type) for wear and adjust or replace as needed.

There’s no fixed interval for thrust bearing replacement—condition and driving style decide that. City commuting with lots of stop‑start can age it faster. If the car has an automatic, a clutch release thrust bearing isn’t used at all, any driveline noise in that case points elsewhere (e.g., torque converter, pump, or ancillary bearings).

Bottom line for the manual Gran Move: when the clutch is due, do the bearing. It keeps the pedal feel sweet, gear shifts tidy, and helps avoid a second gearbox-out job down the track.

Popular questions about the 1997 Daihatsu Gran Move thrust bearing

Does every 1997 Gran Move have a thrust bearing?
Manual models do—the clutch release thrust bearing is part of the clutch assembly. Automatic models don’t, because they use a torque converter rather than a manual clutch. If you’ve got three pedals, you’ve got a thrust bearing.

What noise points to a failing thrust bearing?
A tell‑tale is a whirring or chirping that appears when the clutch pedal is pressed and fades when it’s released. If the noise is present with the pedal up and disappears when you press it, that’s more likely the gearbox input bearing. Pedal vibration and a rough take‑up also nudge suspicion toward the thrust bearing.

Should the thrust bearing be replaced on its own?
It can be, but it’s smarter to replace the full clutch kit while the gearbox is out. Labour is the big cost, so doing the pressure plate and friction disc along with the release/thrust bearing saves money and headaches later, especially on higher‑kilometre cars.