Parts for your 2014 Nissan Serena-Thrust bearing

2014 Nissan Serena thrust-bearing — what it is, where it is, and how to look after it

Technical documentation for the C26-series 2014 Nissan Serena shows it runs an Xtronic CVT (Jatco RE0F10A/RE0F11A), so there’s no clutch release/throwout “thrust” bearing like you’d find in a manual gearbox. That said, the Serena does use thrust bearings elsewhere: the engine’s crankshaft uses thrust surfaces in the main bearings, and the front suspension strut top mounts incorporate a thrust (rotation) bearing to let the strut turn smoothly with the steering. See Nissan C26 Service Manual: TM-CVT for transmission type, EM-Engine Mechanical for crankshaft/main bearings, and FSU-Front Suspension for the strut and mount/bearing assembly.

For owners shopping for a “thrust-bearing,” the relevant service item on a 2014 Serena is usually the front strut top mount bearing. It sits between the strut spring seat and the body, carrying the vehicle’s weight while allowing the strut to rotate as the steering is turned. When healthy, steering feels light and consistent, when worn, it can bind or notch, making the wheel feel jerky, and may cause a creak or groan over low-speed bumps.

Replacement is straightforward workshop fare but does require strut removal and safe spring compression. Most technicians will:

• Replace the bearing together with the strut top mount, and often in axle pairs to keep steering feel even left-to-right.
• Inspect the strut, spring insulators and dust boots while the assembly is out, it’s the perfect time to refresh tired dampers.
• Refit with correct torque and finish with a wheel alignment to protect tyre wear.

There’s no periodic service interval for the strut thrust bearing, it’s a sealed unit. A sensible approach in Australia and New Zealand is to have it checked whenever front-end noises appear, steering feels sticky, tyres start feathering on the shoulders, or at major suspension inspections around the 80–120,000 km mark depending on road conditions. Genuine or quality aftermarket parts both do the job, stick with reputable brands to avoid early failure.

For clarity: the Serena’s CVT doesn’t have a clutch release/throwout bearing to service. The engine’s crankshaft thrust bearing is internal and only addressed during an engine rebuild if axial play is out of spec (see EM-Engine Mechanical in the Nissan manual). For day-to-day servicing, the strut top-bearing is the thrust-bearing owners will actually replace.

Popular questions

Does a 2014 Nissan Serena have a clutch thrust/throwout bearing?
No. The C26 Serena uses an Xtronic CVT, so there’s no manual clutch and no throwout bearing to service. Any listing for a “clutch thrust bearing” won’t apply to this vehicle. The thrust bearings of interest are in the front strut top mounts and inside the engine bottom end.

What are the symptoms of a worn strut thrust bearing on a Serena?
Common signs include notchy or heavy steering at parking speeds, a creak or groan from the top of the strut when turning or going over speed humps, and slight steering return-to-centre reluctance. Left unchecked, it can contribute to uneven tyre wear and vague steering feel.

When should the Serena’s strut top (thrust) bearings be replaced?
There’s no fixed interval, replace on condition. Many workshops recommend inspection around 80–120,000 km or whenever the struts are out for shock replacement. Always do an alignment after suspension work and consider replacing both sides together for balanced feel.