Parts for your 2008 Toyota Wish-Thrust bearing

Does a 2008 Toyota Wish have a thrust-bearing?

Based on Toyota’s own technical literature, the 2008 Toyota Wish does not use a clutch thrust (release) bearing. The factory driveline lineup for this model year is automatic only: either the U341E 4‑speed auto or the K110/K111 CVT. With no manual gearbox specified, there’s no clutch pressure plate, release fork or release/thrust bearing in the driveline.

Technical sources referenced for this conclusion include:

• Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for ANE10G/ZNE10G/ZGE20-series Wish – transaxle listings show U341E and K110/K111 with no clutch or release bearing group
• Toyota Repair Manual (RM) for Wish with 1ZZ‑FE/2AZ‑FE – sections cover U341E automatic and K110/K111 CVT, not a manual clutch system
• Toyota New Car Features (NCF) and Owner’s Manual for the 2008 Wish – shift pattern and service procedures are for auto/CVT only

Why it’s not used: a thrust/release bearing only exists in a manual-clutch setup. The Wish’s auto or CVT uses a torque converter (auto) or belt-and-pulley pack (CVT) with internal multi-plate clutches and one-way bearings. Those components don’t require an external clutch release/thrust bearing, so there’s nothing for a technician to replace during routine servicing in that area.

What owners sometimes mean by “thrust bearing” on a Wish can be one of these:

• Front strut top bearing (often called a thrust bearing) – sits in the strut mount to let the spring/strut turn smoothly when steering. If steering feels notchy or there’s a creak over speed bumps, this bearing or the mount may be tired. It’s replaced with the strut out, and an alignment after is a good shout.
• Engine crankshaft thrust washers/bearings – internal to the engine’s main bearing set, only addressed during an engine rebuild, not regular servicing.
• Internal auto/CVT thrust and needle bearings – serviced only during transmission overhaul.

Chasing a “thrust bearing” chirp or whirr on a 2008 Wish? More likely culprits are the serpentine belt idler/tensioner bearings, A/C compressor clutch pulley, wheel bearings, or, on CVT cars, an input bearing whine. Good practice is to check noise behaviour in Park/Neutral, with A/C on and off, and at different road speeds. Keeping the correct Toyota WS ATF (U341E) or Toyota CVT Fluid TC/FE (K110/K111) fresh at the recommended intervals also helps prevent drivetrain grumbles over the long haul.

FAQs

Does a 2008 Toyota Wish have a clutch thrust (release) bearing?
No. All 2008 Wish variants are automatic or CVT from factory, so there’s no manual clutch or release/thrust bearing fitted. Any clutch-style bearing listed online for this model is likely a catalogue mismatch.

What’s the “thrust bearing” people mention in the front suspension?
That’s the front strut top bearing inside the strut mount. It lets the strut rotate smoothly when turning the wheel. If steering feels notchy or there’s a groan at low speeds, the mount/bearing may need replacing along with the strut or spring seat.

What maintenance helps prevent bearing noises on a Wish without a clutch?
Regular trans fluid changes with the correct Toyota-spec fluid, inspecting the serpentine belt plus idler/tensioner pulleys, checking wheel bearings for play/noise, and replacing tired strut mounts and top bearings when doing shocks will keep things quiet and tidy.