Parts for your 2007 Toyota Highlander-Thrust bearing

2007 Toyota Highlander (Kluger) thrust-bearing — what’s actually fitted

Short version: a conventional clutch thrust-bearing (also called a release bearing) isn’t used on the 2007 Toyota Highlander — known as Kluger in Australia and New Zealand. Technical sources including the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalog for the 2007 Highlander/Kluger, the factory Repair Manual, and Toyota New Car Features confirm these models were sold with Aisin automatic transmissions only (U241E 4‑speed on the 2.4L and U151E/U151F 5‑speed on V6 FWD/AWD). With no manual clutch, there’s no external clutch thrust-bearing to service or replace.

Why it’s not used: the Highlander/Kluger’s automatic uses a torque converter to couple the engine to the gearbox, so there’s no clutch pedal, no pressure plate, and no release/thrust bearing in the driveline. That’s by design, not an omission — the auto’s hydraulic control and torque converter take care of engagement duties that a manual’s thrust-bearing would normally assist with.

Worth noting: there are thrust bearings inside the vehicle — just not ones you’d service during routine maintenance. The engine uses a crankshaft thrust bearing (thrust washers) to control end float, and the Aisin automatic contains internal thrust washers/bearings and selective shims to manage axial loads on gearsets. These internal parts are addressed only during an engine or transmission rebuild. If they wear, you’ll typically see metal in the oil/ATF, end‑float out of spec, or specific driveline symptoms that require specialist diagnosis.

If someone’s chasing a “thrust-bearing noise” on a 2007 Highlander/Kluger, the smart move is to look elsewhere. Good workshops will check:

• Accessory drive and pulleys: belt tensioner/idler bearings, alternator, A/C compressor, and water pump
• Driveline and mounts: front wheel bearings, engine/gearbox mounts, CV joints
• Automatic transmission and flexplate: torque converter or flexplate cracks, ATF condition/level

Service advice for this model is straightforward: there’s no external thrust-bearing to replace, so don’t book a clutch bearing job that doesn’t exist. Keep engine oil and filter changes on time to protect the crank’s thrust surfaces, and follow Toyota’s guidance for automatic transmission servicing and fluid specification for your exact variant and market. If axial play or internal bearing issues are suspected, that’s engine/transmission specialist territory rather than routine servicing under the bonnet.

FAQs

Does the 2007 Toyota Highlander (Kluger) have a clutch thrust/release bearing?
No. All 2007 Highlander/Kluger models were built with automatic transmissions (Aisin U241E or U151E/U151F), so there’s no manual clutch assembly and no release/thrust bearing to service.

Are there any thrust bearings in this vehicle at all?
Yes — internally. The engine has a crankshaft thrust bearing (thrust washers), and the automatic transmission uses internal thrust washers/bearings. These aren’t routine service items and are only dealt with during an overhaul when measurements show wear or end‑float out of spec.

What should be serviced if a “thrust-bearing” is suspected on this model?
Focus on likely culprits: accessory belt drive (tensioner/idler), alternator, A/C compressor, wheel bearings, engine/gearbox mounts, and the torque converter/flexplate area. Also check that engine oil and ATF meet Toyota specifications and are in good nick. A proper diagnosis will save time and coin.