Parts for your 2012 Subaru Exiga-Thrust bearing

2012 Subaru Exiga – Is a thrust bearing fitted?

Checked against technical sources – including Subaru’s YA Exiga parts catalogue listings and the factory workshop manual drivetrain specs – the 2012 Subaru Exiga was supplied with automatic gearboxes only (5EAT) and Lineartronic CVT variants. No manual transmission is listed for this year/model, so there’s no conventional clutch assembly and therefore no clutch thrust (release) bearing fitted to a 2012 Exiga.

That “thrust bearing” most people mean is the clutch release bearing that rides the clutch fork in a manual. Because the Exiga runs a torque converter (auto) or a belt-and-pulley CVT, it doesn’t need a clutch or a release/thrust bearing. If you’re chasing a whirring or rumbling noise you’d normally blame on a thrust bearing, you’ll want to look elsewhere on this car.

Worth noting: there are other bearings on a 2012 Exiga that handle axial or rotational loads, but they’re different parts and purposes. Examples include the crankshaft thrust surfaces within the engine (not a routine service item) and the front strut top mount bearings that let the struts turn smoothly with the steering. These aren’t the clutch “thrust bearings” sold for manual models, and they’re diagnosed and replaced under different procedures.

What to check instead if you’ve got vibration, rumble, or a growl on take-off or at idle in Drive:

• Transmission side: CVT/auto fluid condition and level, torque converter issues, flexplate cracks, or internal transmission bearings.
• Front-end noises: strut top mount bearings, front wheel bearings, or worn control arm bushes.
• Engine bay noises: serpentine belt, idler and tensioner bearings, alternator or A/C pulley bearings.
• AWD driveline: prop shaft centre bearing and rear diff bearings.

Good preventative maintenance for an Exiga without a clutch includes timely CVT/auto fluid services to Subaru spec, inspecting front strut top mounts during suspension work, and listening for any new drivetrain noises after tyre rotations or long trips. If a shop quotes a “clutch thrust bearing” for a 2012 Exiga, it’s worth double-checking the parts listing – that item doesn’t apply to this model year’s driveline.

Popular questions

Does a 2012 Subaru Exiga have a clutch thrust bearing?
No. The 2012 Exiga didn’t come with a manual gearbox, so there’s no clutch or release (thrust) bearing. It uses a torque converter (5EAT) or a Lineartronic CVT, which don’t require that part.

What could cause a noise that sounds like a failed thrust bearing on my Exiga?
On these autos/CVTs, similar noises often come from a worn strut top mount bearing, a tired serpentine-belt idler, wheel bearings, or – less commonly – internal transmission or torque converter issues. A quick listen under the bonnet and at each corner can narrow it down fast.

Are there any other “thrust-type” bearings on the Exiga I should service?
The engine has built-in crankshaft thrust surfaces, which aren’t routine service items. The front strut top mount bearings do wear and can creak or bind, they’re typically replaced with the top mounts during suspension work.