Parts for your 2017 Honda Odyssey-Thrust bearing

2017 Honda Odyssey thrust-bearing: what’s actually fitted and what isn’t

After checking Honda’s technical literature and parts data, a standalone “thrust bearing” isn’t a service item on the 2017 Honda Odyssey. There’s no manual clutch on this model, so there’s no clutch release/throwout (often called thrust) bearing to maintain or replace. Technical references used: Honda Odyssey 2017 Service Manual for RC1/RC2 (AU/NZ market, K24W with CVT) and RL5 (North America, 6‑speed automatic) powertrain sections, plus Honda’s electronic parts catalog for the same vehicles. These show no clutch release bearing for the CVT or automatic. Any thrust bearings described are internal to the engine (crankshaft thrust washers integrated with the main bearings) or within the transmission/CVT, and are not external service parts.

Why isn’t a thrust bearing used? Because the 2017 Odyssey in Australia and New Zealand runs a CVT, and other markets use a torque‑converter automatic. Both designs do away with a manual clutch mechanism, so there’s no need for a release/thrust bearing at the bellhousing. The only “thrust” elements are internal components that control axial loads inside the engine or transmission assemblies and are addressed only during major overhauls, not routine servicing.

Owners searching for “thrust bearing” sometimes actually mean the front strut top bearing (the little bearing at the top of the MacPherson strut that lets the strut turn smoothly when steering). Honda labels this a strut mount/bearing rather than a thrust bearing. It can wear and creak or bind on low-speed turns, if that’s the noise, the fix is a strut mount/bearing replacement, not a clutch-related part.

For regular servicing on a 2017 Odyssey, the smart play is:

• Change CVT fluid or ATF at the intervals in the service book to protect internal bearings and clutches.
• Listen for front-end creaks or notchiness on steering lock, that points to a strut mount bearing, not a thrust bearing.
• If anyone mentions “thrust bearing” wear, clarify whether they mean internal engine/trans work (rare and major) or the front strut mount bearing (a common suspension job).

Technical sources referenced: Honda Odyssey 2017 Service Manual (RC1/RC2, CVT section, engine block/main bearings), Honda Odyssey 2017 Service Manual (RL5, 6AT transmission overview), and Honda Electronic Parts Catalog listings for 2017 Odyssey powertrain and front suspension assemblies. These documents do not list a clutch release/thrust bearing for this model and show thrust control only as internal components.

Popular questions about the 2017 Honda Odyssey “thrust bearing”

Does a 2017 Honda Odyssey have a thrust bearing that needs servicing?
Not as a standalone service part. There’s no manual clutch, so no release/throwout bearing to replace. Any thrust elements are internal to the engine or transmission/CVT and only come into play during a rebuild. Routine servicing focuses on CVT/ATF fluid, not a thrust bearing.

What noises get mistaken for a failed thrust bearing on a 2017 Odyssey?
People often mistake low-speed steering creaks or binding for a “thrust” issue—this is usually the front strut mount bearing. A humming that rises with road speed can be a wheel bearing. Shudder on light throttle may be CVT fluid/driveability related, not a clutch thrust bearing.

When should the front strut mount bearing be replaced?
Replace it if there’s steering notchiness, groaning at parking speeds, or visible play while turning the strut. Many techs do mounts and bearings when fitting new front struts—often somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 km depending on roads and loading. An alignment afterwards is a good idea.