Parts for your 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander-Thrust bearing

2007 Mitsubishi Outlander thrust-bearing — is it actually used?

Short answer for Australian and New Zealand–delivered 2007 Outlanders: a thrust-bearing (as in the clutch release/throwout bearing) isn’t a thing you’ll find from factory. Factory specifications and service literature for the CW-series Outlander list the 2.4 petrol with INVECS-III CVT and the 3.0 V6 with a 6‑speed automatic in this market, with no manual option in 2007. That’s backed by Mitsubishi Motors service manuals for the CW platform, the 2007 model year brochures/spec sheets for AU/NZ, and local vehicle data sources like RedBook. Automatics and CVTs don’t use a clutch release/thrust bearing, so it isn’t a routine service part on these cars.

What most people call a “thrust-bearing” in this context is the clutch release (throwout) bearing that rides the input shaft and presses on the clutch diaphragm in a manual. Because the 2007 AU/NZ Outlander runs a torque converter automatic or a CVT, there’s no manual clutch assembly — and therefore no clutch thrust-bearing to replace during servicing.

There are a couple of caveats. Some overseas CW Outlanders (particularly certain European diesel or lower‑trim petrol variants) did come with 5‑ or 6‑speed manuals and therefore do use a release bearing. A small number of those can turn up here as used imports, more commonly in NZ. If your Outlander is a manual, then yes — a clutch release/thrust bearing is fitted and should be replaced with the clutch kit when the gearbox is out.

Hearing a whine or rumble and thinking “thrust-bearing”? On the auto/CVT 2007 Outlander, noises under load or at idle in gear are more likely to be CVT pulley/belt whine, a torque converter or input bearing issue, an accessory/idler pulley, or even an engine mount. A proper diagnosis saves throwing parts at it.

Worth noting: the engine does have crankshaft thrust bearings inside the block, and the transmissions have internal thrust washers/bearings, but these aren’t service items and aren’t what parts catalogues list as a “thrust-bearing” for routine maintenance.

• If your 2007 Outlander is CVT or 6‑speed auto: there’s no clutch thrust-bearing to service.
• If you’ve got a manual import: replace the release bearing whenever the clutch is done, and use quality gear to avoid chatter or growl.

Popular questions about 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander thrust-bearing

Does a 2007 Outlander have a clutch thrust/throwout bearing?

For Australian and New Zealand–delivered 2007 models with CVT or 6‑speed automatic, no — there’s no clutch release/thrust bearing. Only manual-transmission variants (seen in some overseas markets and a few local imports) have one.

What’s that whining noise if it’s not a thrust-bearing?

On the CVT/auto Outlander, a whine or hum can come from the CVT pulley/belt set, torque converter, input shaft bearing, or even an accessory pulley. It’s best to have a technician road test and listen under different loads and speeds to pinpoint the source before parts are replaced.

If my Outlander is a manual import, when should the release bearing be replaced?

Replace it whenever the clutch is out — typically during a clutch kit change. Symptoms of a tired release bearing include growling or chirping with the clutch pedal depressed and difficulty selecting gears. Always fit a matched clutch kit (disc, pressure plate, release bearing, and pilot bush/bearing where applicable).