Parts for your 2003 Nissan Serena-Thrust bearing

2003 Nissan Serena thrust-bearing — is it actually used?

For the 2003 Nissan Serena (C24), a clutch “thrust-bearing” (also called a release or throw-out bearing) is generally not fitted because most vehicles in this year and model run an automatic or Hyper CVT transmission, not a manual gearbox. Nissan’s C24 factory service information shows the clutch release/thrust bearing only exists in the manual transaxle setup, while the automatic (RE4F04B) and Hyper CVT-M6 (RE0F06A) use a torque converter and do not require a clutch release bearing. Technical sources consulted include the Nissan Serena C24 Series Service Manual (CL: Clutch, TM: Transaxle & Transmission), the Nissan/JATCO Hyper CVT-M6 Technical Guide (RE0F06A), and Nissan Automatic Transaxle (RE4F04B) service literature.

That’s why a “thrust-bearing” listing isn’t relevant to most 2003 Serenas on Australian and New Zealand roads. In auto and CVT versions, drive take-up is handled hydraulically by the torque converter and internal clutch packs, so there’s no mechanical clutch fork or release bearing to press against the pressure plate. Different design, different parts.

Worth noting: inside the engine there are crankshaft thrust surfaces (often called thrust bearings or thrust washers) integrated into a main bearing. They control end-float of the crank but aren’t a periodic service item, they’re inspected during an engine rebuild or when diagnosing specific end-float issues. Nissan’s Engine Mechanical (EM) section for the QR20DE details these internal thrust surfaces, but again, this isn’t the clutch release bearing people usually mean.

• If the Serena is CVT or automatic: there’s no clutch thrust/release bearing to maintain or replace.
• If it’s one of the rarer 5-speed manuals: a clutch release/thrust bearing is present and typically replaced as part of a complete clutch kit (disc, pressure plate, release bearing) when the gearbox is out.

Quick ways to tell what’s fitted: look for the P–R–N–D gate and no clutch pedal (auto/CVT), or a 5-speed pattern and a clutch pedal (manual). For manuals, any whirring or growling that changes when the clutch pedal is pressed can point to a tired release bearing and is best sorted during a clutch job. For auto/CVT vehicles, focus on fluid quality and correct CVT/ATF spec per the TM section of the C24 service manual.

Technical references cited: Nissan Serena C24 Series Service Manual (CL, TM, EM sections), Nissan/JATCO Hyper CVT-M6 (RE0F06A) Technical Guide, Nissan Automatic Transaxle RE4F04B Service Manual.

Popular questions

Does a 2003 Nissan Serena have a thrust-bearing?
Most 2003 Serenas are automatic or CVT and don’t use a clutch thrust/release bearing. Only the less common 5‑speed manual versions have one. The engine itself has internal crankshaft thrust surfaces, but those aren’t routine service parts for clutch work.

How can an owner tell if their Serena needs a thrust-bearing replacement?
Only relevant for manual gearboxes. Common signs include a whirring or rumbling noise that appears when the clutch pedal is pressed and disappears when released. Typically, the release bearing is replaced along with the clutch disc and pressure plate once the transmission is removed.

Is there any thrust-bearing maintenance for auto or CVT Serenas?
No clutch release bearing exists on auto/CVT variants, so there’s nothing to service there. Instead, attention should go to correct ATF/CVT-fluid type and change intervals per the C24 service manual to keep shifts smooth and the unit healthy.