Parts for your 2010 Toyota Bb-Thrust bearing

2010 Toyota bB Thrust Bearing — Do You Need One?

Short answer: a clutch “thrust bearing” isn’t used on the 2010 Toyota bB. Technical references including the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for the QNC20/QNC21/QNC25 series and the Toyota New Car Features (NCF) documentation list the 2010 bB as being equipped with a 4‑speed automatic transmission (Super ECT) only, with no manual variant in regular production. Because there’s no clutch assembly, there’s no clutch release/thrust bearing to service or replace. Even general references covering the second‑generation bB note the automatic‑only lineup for these models.

Why the confusion? In workshop slang, “thrust bearing” is often used to mean the clutch release (throw‑out) bearing found on manual gearboxes. On the 2010 bB’s auto, gear changes are handled hydraulically inside the transmission, so a release bearing simply doesn’t exist.

There are, however, a couple of parts people sometimes mix up with a “thrust bearing” on this model:

• Engine crankshaft thrust bearings (thrust washers) – these control crank end‑float inside the engine. They’re part of the main bearing set and not a routine service item. If worn, they present with end‑float issues rather than clutch noise.
• Front strut top bearings – sometimes called “strut thrust bearings.” These live in the suspension top mounts and can creak or grind when steering. They’re unrelated to the transmission.

If someone’s chasing a “thrust bearing” noise in a 2010 bB, it’s worth checking the front strut top mounts for roughness or binding, and listening for automatic transmission pump or torque converter whine under load. For engine end‑float concerns, a proper measurement with a dial indicator against the crank pulley is the go. But when it comes to a manual‑style clutch release/thrust bearing, it’s simply not a fitted item on the 2010 bB as delivered from the factory.

Sources referenced: Toyota EPC (JDM bB QNC20/QNC21/QNC25, 2010 model year) showing automatic transmission only and no clutch group, Toyota New Car Features for bB QNC2# detailing the 4‑speed Super ECT, widely cited model guides noting the second‑gen bB’s auto‑only specification.

Popular questions about 2010 Toyota bB thrust bearing

Does a 2010 Toyota bB have a clutch thrust (release) bearing?
No. Factory 2010 bB models are automatic only, so there’s no clutch assembly and no release/thrust bearing. If a vehicle has been converted to a manual (rare), then it would use a release bearing as part of that conversion, but that’s not standard.

What part is usually mistaken for a thrust bearing on a 2010 bB?
Most commonly, the front strut top bearing. It can make creaking or grinding noises when turning the steering. Another is the engine’s crankshaft thrust washers, which manage end‑float inside the engine but aren’t a routine service item like a clutch bearing.

How can a driver tell if the noise is a strut top bearing and not a “clutch” issue?
If the noise appears while turning the wheel at low speed or when the suspension compresses over bumps, the strut top bearing is a suspect. A true clutch‑related release bearing noise changes when pressing and releasing a clutch pedal — which the 2010 bB simply doesn’t have.