Parts for your 2006 Nissan Navara-Thrust bearing

2006 Nissan Navara Thrust Bearing

Technical sources, including the Nissan Navara D40 Service Manual (CL – Clutch, MT – Manual Transmission) and the Nissan FAST electronic parts catalogue, confirm that 2006 Navara D40 utes fitted with a manual gearbox use a clutch release (thrust) bearing. Major clutch manufacturers’ catalogues (e.g., Exedy for D40 kits) also list a release/thrust bearing for these models. Automatic transmissions don’t use a clutch release/thrust bearing. The engine itself has crankshaft thrust bearings integrated with the main bearings, but these aren’t routine service items and aren’t what most owners mean when they ask for a “thrust bearing”.

The thrust bearing on a manual 2006 Navara is the clutch release bearing. Its job is simple but crucial: when the driver presses the clutch pedal, the bearing slides along the gearbox input shaft guide and presses on the clutch diaphragm fingers, allowing gears to change cleanly. It lives in a hot, dusty environment, spins at engine speed during disengagement, and deals with plenty of load, so when it starts to fail, it can get noisy fast.

Best practice is to replace the thrust bearing whenever the clutch is out—no mucking about—because the gearbox has to come off to reach it. Quality bearings come with most reputable clutch kits and should be installed with the correct orientation, a light smear of high-temp grease on the guide tube (not the bearing face), and with the clutch fork and pivot ball inspected for wear. On high-kilometre Navaras, it’s smart to check the spigot (pilot) bearing, slave cylinder (or concentric slave if fitted), and the guide tube for scoring while you’re in there.

• Common signs it’s on the way out:
  • Growling, squealing, or chirping that changes when the clutch pedal is pressed.
  • Notchy pedal feel, poor disengagement, or a vibration underfoot.
  • Noise that’s quiet in neutral but appears with clutch pedal depressed.
• Service tips:
  • Don’t ride the clutch—foot off the pedal when cruising to reduce bearing load.
  • If the gearbox is out for any reason (clutch, rear main seal, or flywheel), replace the thrust bearing as cheap insurance.
  • Check clutch fork bushes, pivot, and retainer spring, renew any tired bits to prevent premature bearing wear.
  • Bleed the hydraulic system thoroughly after work, a dragging clutch can cook a new bearing in short order.

For Navaras with a dual-mass flywheel, ensure the clutch kit and release bearing are matched to the flywheel design. A quiet, smooth clutch pedal and clean engagement after servicing are the tell-tales of a job well done.

Popular questions about 2006 Nissan Navara thrust bearings

Do automatic 2006 Navaras have a thrust bearing?
Automatic D40s don’t use a clutch release (thrust) bearing because there’s no manual clutch to operate. They rely on a torque converter, so if there’s a driveline noise on an auto, the fault will be elsewhere—often the converter, pump, or ancillary bearings, not a clutch thrust bearing.

What are the symptoms of a failing thrust bearing on a Navara?
Typical symptoms include a growl, whirr, or squeal that appears or gets louder when the clutch pedal is pressed, plus a rough pedal feel. If the noise goes away when the pedal is released, the thrust bearing is a prime suspect. Persistent noise in neutral with the pedal up can point more to the gearbox input shaft bearing instead.

Should the thrust bearing be replaced with every clutch?
Yes. Because the gearbox has to come out to access it, the release/thrust bearing should always be renewed with the clutch kit. It’s low-cost compared to the labour and helps ensure a quiet, long-lasting clutch job.