Parts for your 1998 Nissan Navara-Thrust bearing

1998 Nissan Navara thrust bearing — what it is, and when to sort it

Based on technical sources, the 1998 Nissan Navara (D22) with a manual gearbox uses a clutch release bearing, commonly called a thrust bearing. This is confirmed by the Nissan D22 Navara Factory Service Manual (Clutch section: release bearing inspection and exploded view), Gregory’s/ Haynes service manuals for D22 utilities, and clutch kit catalogues from OE suppliers like Exedy Australasia, which list a release/thrust bearing as part of complete clutch kits for the D22. Automatic-transmission Navara models don’t use a clutch thrust bearing, as they run a torque converter instead.

On a manual D22, the thrust bearing sits on the clutch fork carrier and slides on the gearbox input sleeve (guide tube). Its job is straightforward: when the driver presses the pedal, the fork pushes the bearing into the pressure plate fingers, releasing the clutch so gears can be selected smoothly. If the bearing goes rough, noisy, or grabs, gear changes feel crook and the pedal can get noisy or notchy.

Best practice is to replace the thrust bearing whenever the clutch is out, even if it seems fine. It’s a low-cost part buried behind a lot of labour, so doing it once, properly, saves a second pull-down. Quality bearings are sealed and pre-lubed, what needs attention is the carrier and guide tube: give those a light smear of high-temp moly or lithium-moly grease, and dab the clutch fork contact points. Keep grease off the bearing face and clutch friction surfaces.

• Tell-tale symptoms: chirp or squeal with the pedal depressed, pedal vibration, rough engagement, or noise that changes as the pedal is pressed and released.
• While in there: check the pressure plate fingers for wear, inspect/replace the spigot (pilot) bush, and look over the fork pivot and the gearbox snout for scoring.
• Hydraulics matter: if the slave cylinder is weeping or the pedal feels spongy, service the hydraulics at the same time for a clean, light pedal feel.

For automatic D22 owners: there’s no clutch thrust bearing to service. Any thrust components inside the auto are internal transmission parts and aren’t the same thing as a clutch release bearing.

Does a 1998 Nissan Navara automatic have a thrust bearing?

No. Autos use a torque converter, so there’s no clutch release/thrust bearing. Any internal transmission thrust washers or bearings are unrelated to the manual’s clutch release bearing and aren’t serviced as a standalone “thrust bearing”.

What noises point to a worn thrust bearing on a D22?

A chirp, squeal, or grinding that appears when the clutch pedal is pressed and fades when it’s released is classic thrust bearing behaviour. A light pedal vibration or a grabby take-up can back it up.

Should the thrust bearing be greased?

The bearing itself is sealed and pre-lubed. Grease only the carrier/guide tube and the fork contact points with a small amount of high-temp moly grease. Don’t get grease on the bearing face, pressure plate fingers, or the clutch disc.