Parts for your 2000 Mazda Premacy-Thrust bearing

2000 Mazda Premacy thrust bearing — what it is and when it matters

Based on the Mazda Premacy (CP series, 1999–2005) workshop manual clutch section, Mazda electronic parts catalog listings for CP models, and Aisin/Ford service literature for the related drivetrains, a thrust bearing (clutch release/throwout bearing) is fitted on 2000 Mazda Premacy vehicles with a manual gearbox. Automatic variants use a torque converter and do not have a clutch release thrust bearing. The engine’s crankshaft also uses thrust bearings (thrust washers) inside the block, but these aren’t the “thrust bearing” typically serviced during clutch work.

On a manual 2000 Mazda Premacy, the thrust bearing sits on the gearbox input shaft, riding the clutch fork or slave cylinder. When the clutch pedal’s pressed, it pushes against the pressure plate fingers so the disc can disengage cleanly. The bearing’s whole job is to let those parts move without grinding themselves to bits, keeping clutch action smooth and quiet.

There’s no fixed service interval for the thrust bearing, it’s usually replaced whenever the clutch is done, simply because the gearbox is already out. That’s the smart play: fit a full clutch kit (pressure plate, friction disc, release/thrust bearing, and pilot bearing/bush) and reset the clock. For many Premacys that’s around the 100,000–150,000 km mark, depending on driving style and load.

Good habits help it live a long life. Don’t ride the clutch at the lights, pop it into neutral if you’re stopped for a while, and avoid resting a foot on the pedal. If the car’s hydraulic, check for fluid leaks, pedal feel changes, and correct clutch free-play during routine servicing. When the box is out, a light smear of high-temp moly grease on the input shaft splines and the bearing guide tube, plus checking the fork pivot and slave cylinder, is worth its weight.

Signs the Premacy’s thrust bearing is on the way out include:

• A whirring or growling that appears when the clutch pedal is pressed and often quietens when it’s released
• A rough, notchy pedal feel
• Chirping at the bellhousing area during pedal movement

If it’s an auto Premacy, that noise won’t be a clutch thrust bearing — autos have a torque converter. In that case, focus diagnosis on the converter, flexplate, or gearbox internals instead.

Technical sources referenced: Mazda Premacy (CP) Workshop Manual – Clutch section, Mazda Electronic Parts Catalogue for CP series, Aisin/Ford service information for the related FN4A-EL/4F27E automatic and Mazda manual transaxles used in CP Premacy. These confirm the manual-clutch release bearing design and absence of a release bearing in autos.

Popular questions

Does a 2000 Mazda Premacy have a thrust bearing?
Manual models do — it’s the clutch release (throwout) bearing. Automatic models don’t use one because they have a torque converter. The engine does have internal crankshaft thrust washers, but they’re not part of routine clutch servicing.

When should the thrust bearing be replaced?
Replace it whenever the clutch is replaced or if there’s pedal-down growling or roughness. Most owners do it as part of a complete clutch kit once the box is out, often somewhere around 100,000–150,000 km depending on use.

How do you tell a bad thrust bearing from a gearbox input bearing?
If the noise appears when the clutch pedal is pressed and fades when released, that points to the thrust bearing. A noise that’s loudest with the pedal up and the car in neutral can indicate an input shaft bearing. Proper diagnosis on the hoist is best.