Parts for your 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer-Thrust bearing

1998 Mitsubishi Lancer thrust-bearing: what it is and when it matters

Based on the Mitsubishi CE Lancer Workshop Manual (1996–2003, Clutch section), the Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue for CE/CK chassis, and clutch kit catalogues from major suppliers (e.g., Exedy, ClutchPro) that include a release bearing for 5-speed models, the 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer with a manual gearbox is fitted with a clutch release (thrust) bearing. Automatic models use a torque converter and do not have a clutch release bearing. The engine itself also contains crankshaft thrust bearings inside the block, but these are only addressed during engine overhaul, not routine servicing.

On a manual ’98 Lancer, the thrust (release) bearing sits on the gearbox input shaft and presses on the clutch pressure plate fingers when the pedal’s pushed. Its whole job is to let the pressure plate be loaded and released smoothly while spinning, so gear changes are clean and chatter-free. When it’s healthy, the pedal feels consistent and quiet. When it’s tired, there’s usually a whirring, chirp, or rumble that appears with the clutch pedal depressed and fades when it’s released.

It’s not a scheduled replace-by-kilometres item, but it’s smart to renew the thrust bearing whenever the gearbox is out, especially during a clutch change. Most quality clutch kits for CE Lancer (4G15/4G93 with F5M-series 5-speed) come with a new release bearing and alignment tool, and that’s the way to go for long-term reliability.

• Typical symptoms: noise with the pedal down, notchiness engaging gears, or clutch not fully releasing.
• Best practice during replacement: lightly lube the input shaft splines and release fork contact points with high-temp moly grease, inspect the guide tube, fork, pivot ball, and the slave cylinder, and consider resurfacing the flywheel.
• Hydraulics: bleed or flush the clutch fluid every 2 years with DOT 3/4 to keep pedal feel crisp and prevent internal corrosion.

Driving habits matter. Avoid riding the pedal, and give a new clutch and bearing a few hundred kilometres of gentle bedding-in. If the car’s an automatic, a “thrust-bearing” in the clutch sense doesn’t apply, any axial load control is handled inside the transmission and engine, and isn’t part of routine servicing.

Does every 1998 Lancer have a thrust bearing?

Manual models do, it’s the clutch release bearing. Autos don’t have a clutch release bearing. The engine does have internal crankshaft thrust bearings, but these are only touched during an engine rebuild.

What noises point to a failing thrust bearing on a ’98 Lancer?

A whirring, squeal, or grinding that appears when the clutch pedal is pressed and disappears when released is the classic sign. If noise is present with the pedal up and goes away when pressed, think gearbox input bearing instead.

Can the thrust bearing be replaced without changing the clutch?

It can, but since the gearbox has to come out anyway, most techs replace the full clutch kit (disc, pressure plate, release bearing) to save on future labour and keep everything matched and fresh.