Parts for your 2005 Subaru Forester-Thrust bearing

2005 Subaru Forester thrust-bearing — what it is, and when to service it

Based on the Subaru Factory Service Manual (2005 Forester SG, Clutch and Engine sections) and the Subaru FAST parts catalogue, a thrust-bearing is fitted to 2005 Forester models with the 5-speed manual gearbox (TY755). It’s identified as the clutch release/thrust bearing and is a normal service item when the clutch is replaced. Automatic (4EAT) models don’t use a clutch thrust-bearing, although the EJ25 engine does have an internal crankshaft thrust bearing within the main bearing set, which isn’t a routine service item.

On a 2005 Forester manual, the thrust-bearing sits between the clutch fork and the pressure plate fingers. Its job is simple but critical: it lets the clutch fork push on the spinning pressure plate smoothly when the pedal’s pressed, so gear changes stay light and quiet. When it wears, drivers may notice a whirring, chirp, or squeal with the clutch pedal depressed, or a rough, notchy pedal feel.

Best practice is to replace the thrust-bearing any time the clutch is out. Most workshops fit a full clutch kit (pressure plate, friction disc, thrust-bearing, and usually the pilot bearing) to save double labour. It’s a relatively inexpensive part but buried deep, so doing it with the clutch saves time and money. Typical inspection or replacement happens around the same time a clutch wears out, often between 120,000–200,000 km depending on driving style and towing.

• Replace as a set: thrust-bearing, clutch disc and pressure plate, add pilot bearing and rear main seal check while you’re there.
• Lightly lubricate the bearing guide tube/snout and fork pivot with high-temp moly grease—sparingly. Over-greasing can fling onto the disc.
• Inspect the clutch fork, pivot ball, and retaining clips, replace any that are bent or loose.
• Check slave cylinder operation and pedal free-play after reassembly.
• If there’s noise with the pedal released (not pressed), suspect gearbox input bearing instead, noise only when pressed points more to the thrust-bearing.

For automatic 2005 Foresters, a clutch thrust-bearing isn’t applicable. The only “thrust” element relevant is the crankshaft thrust bearing in the EJ25 engine, which manages end-float. That’s an internal engine component addressed only during a rebuild or if there’s confirmed excessive end-play—well outside routine servicing.

Popular questions

Does a 2005 Subaru Forester automatic have a thrust-bearing?
Not a clutch thrust-bearing. The 4EAT auto uses a torque converter, so there’s no release/thrust-bearing to service. The EJ25 engine does have an internal crankshaft thrust bearing, but it isn’t a service item unless the engine is being rebuilt.

What noises point to a failing thrust-bearing on a manual Forester?
A light whirring, chirp, or squeal with the clutch pedal depressed that stops when the pedal is released is classic thrust-bearing noise. A rough or pulsing pedal can also hint at bearing wear or pressure plate finger issues.

Should the thrust-bearing be replaced by itself?
It can be, but it’s smarter to replace it with the whole clutch kit. Because the gearbox has to come out, most owners bundle the thrust-bearing, clutch disc, pressure plate, and pilot bearing, and inspect the rear main seal and guide tube at the same time.