Parts for your 2007 Nissan Navara-Thrust bearing

2007 Nissan Navara Thrust Bearing — What’s fitted and why it matters

Referencing technical sources including the Nissan Navara D40 Service Manual (CL – Clutch and EM – Engine Mechanical sections), the 2007 Navara with a manual gearbox is fitted with a clutch release bearing (commonly called a thrust bearing), integrated into a hydraulic concentric slave cylinder inside the bellhousing. The engine also uses crankshaft thrust bearings to control end-float. Parts catalogues and clutch manufacturer data for D40 (e.g., Exedy/SMF/DMF kits) corroborate the use of an internal concentric slave cylinder with an integrated release/thrust bearing. Automatic models don’t use a clutch thrust bearing, but still have crankshaft thrust surfaces within the main bearings.

For a 2007 Nissan Navara manual, the thrust bearing’s job is to smoothly transfer pedal effort to the clutch diaphragm spring so gears can be selected without graunching. The D40’s design packs this bearing into a concentric slave cylinder (CSC), so when the clutch pedal’s pressed, hydraulic pressure slides the bearing forward, relieving clamp load and freeing the clutch disc. It keeps pedal feel light, reduces friction and helps the ute shift cleanly under load, whether it’s towing, touring, or crawling a fire trail.

Because the bearing is part of the CSC and lives inside the bellhousing, it’s standard best practice to replace it whenever the clutch is out. Labour to get in there is the big cost, so fitting a fresh CSC/release bearing with the new clutch kit is cheap insurance. Fresh gearbox input shaft grease (sparingly, where specified), clean mating faces, and bleeding the hydraulic system correctly all make a noticeable difference to pedal feel and longevity. If the Navara runs a dual-mass flywheel (DMF), check it for excessive play or heat spots, if converting to a single-mass flywheel (SMF), use a matched kit that includes the correct CSC.

• Common symptoms of a tired thrust bearing: whirring or chirping with the pedal depressed, notchiness engaging gears, a changing bite point, or fluid leaks from the bellhousing (failed CSC seals).
• Service tips: replace the CSC/release bearing with each clutch, inspect the fork and pivot on external-actuated variants, flush clutch fluid every 24–36 months, confirm free play and pedal height per the service manual.

Look after the thrust bearing and hydraulics, and the D40’s manual shifts stay crisp, even with Aussie/Kiwi kilometres, corrugations and towing in the mix.

Popular questions

What are the tell-tale signs the Navara’s thrust bearing is on the way out?
Noise that changes when the clutch pedal is pressed is the classic clue — a whir, chirp or grind that quietens when the pedal’s released. A heavy or inconsistent pedal, gear engagement that feels notchy, or clutch fluid weeping from the bellhousing (internal CSC) are also red flags.

Should the concentric slave cylinder be replaced with every clutch job?
Yes. On the D40 manual, the release bearing and CSC are a unit. Because access requires gearbox removal, replacing the CSC/release bearing whenever the clutch is changed is the smart, cost-effective move.

How long does a thrust bearing typically last in a 2007 Navara?
It varies with use, but many see well over 150,000 km. Heavy towing, lots of stop–start, clutch riding, or contaminated fluid can shorten its lifespan. Regular fluid changes and correct installation help it go the distance.