Parts for your 2013 Ford Escape-Thrust bearing

2013 Ford Escape thrust bearing — do you actually have one?

Short answer: a thrust-bearing (as most people mean it — the clutch release/throw‑out bearing) isn’t a service item on the 2013 Ford Escape. The 2013 Escape was built with six‑speed automatic transmissions (6F35 and, in some markets, dual‑clutch autos), not a conventional manual. That means there’s no clutch pedal and no clutch release/thrust bearing to replace during routine servicing. This is backed by the Ford 2013 Escape Workshop Manual (automatic transaxle sections covering the 6F35), Ford powertrain spec sheets for the 2013 model year, and Ford parts catalog diagrams that list no clutch release bearing for this vehicle.

Why it’s not used: a conventional manual uses a thrust/release bearing to press the clutch fingers and disengage drive. The 2013 Escape uses a torque converter (6F35) or an internal dual‑clutch actuator unit, so there’s no external, serviceable “thrust bearing” like you’d find on a manual hatch or ute. Under the bonnet, the engine does have internal crankshaft thrust washers/bearings to control end‑float, and the transmission has internal thrust bearings — but these aren’t routine wear items and only come into play during a full engine or transmission rebuild.

If someone’s chasing a noise they reckon sounds like a crook “throw‑out bearing” — a whirring or growl at idle that changes with gear selection — it’s more likely to be one of the following on a 2013 Escape:

• Torque converter or transmission front pump noise (especially if it changes between Park/Neutral and Drive)
• Accessory drive bearings (idler/tensioner pulleys) or the A/C compressor clutch bearing
• Wheel bearings or CV joints (noise that varies with road speed rather than engine revs)

Good practice for owners: keep up with regular transmission fluid services to factory spec, listen for changes under light throttle and when stationary in Drive, and have any new whine or rumble checked early by a technician familiar with the 6F35. If you’re driving a different market variant that actually has a manual conversion, that’s a different kettle of fish — but for a standard 2013 Escape, a “thrust bearing replacement” isn’t part of normal servicing.

Popular questions about 2013 Ford Escape thrust bearings

Does a 2013 Ford Escape have a clutch thrust (throw‑out) bearing?
No. The 2013 Escape was sold with automatic gearboxes, so there’s no manual‑type clutch release bearing to service or replace. Ford’s Workshop Manual and parts listings for the 2013 Escape cover the 6F35 automatic and don’t include a clutch release bearing as a service part.

I can hear a whine at idle — could that be a thrust bearing?
On this model it’s unlikely. A whine that changes when shifting between Park/Neutral and Drive often points to the torque converter or transmission pump. A steady whir with the A/C on might be the A/C clutch or an accessory pulley. Get it diagnosed before it gets worse — catching it early can save a packet.

Are there any thrust bearings in the 2013 Escape at all?
Yes, but they’re internal: the engine uses thrust washers/bearings on the crankshaft, and the transmission has internal thrust bearings. They’re not routine service items and are only addressed during an engine or transmission rebuild.