Parts for your 2017 Toyota Wish-Thrust bearing

2017 Toyota Wish thrust-bearing — is it actually a thing?

Short answer: a serviceable “thrust bearing” isn’t used on a 2017 Toyota Wish. Toyota’s own technical information shows the ZGE2#-series Wish (final years through 2017) was sold with Super CVT‑i transaxles only, not a manual gearbox. That matters because the part most people mean by “thrust bearing” is the clutch release/throw‑out bearing found in manual transmissions. Checking Toyota Repair Manual sections for the Wish ZGE2# series (Transaxle/Transmission – CVT) and Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue for 2017 ZGE20/ZGE25 models, there’s no clutch assembly or release bearing listed for these CVT variants.

Why it’s not used: a CVT with a torque converter doesn’t have a driver‑operated clutch, so there’s no release (thrust) bearing to push on clutch fingers. Instead, the torque converter handles take‑off, and the CVT’s pulley/belt set handles ratio changes. That design eliminates the need for a clutch thrust bearing altogether.

Worth noting: the engine itself (2ZR/3ZR family) does have internal crankshaft thrust bearings/washers to control end float, but those are internal, lubricated by engine oil, and not a routine service item. They aren’t the “thrust bearing” people usually shop for.

If someone’s chasing a noise they’ve called a “thrust bearing” noise on a CVT Wish, it’s more likely to be one of these:

• Front wheel hub bearings (speed‑related humming or growl)
• Front strut top mount bearings (notched, creaking or spring twang when steering)
• Auxiliary belt idler/tensioner pulley bearings (under‑bonnet whirr or chirp)
• CVT transaxle whine (fluid, pulley or bearing noise, check fluid condition and level)

Good practice for owners: stick to the recommended CVT fluid and service intervals for local conditions (stop‑start city driving, towing and hills in NZ/AU can be “severe” service), keep tyres matched and correctly inflated, and get suspension mount bearings checked if the steering feels notchy or you hear clunks over lock.

Exception: extremely rare grey‑market/manual conversions aside, a 2017 Wish won’t have a clutch thrust/release bearing to replace. If you’re unsure which component you’re after, a quick VIN‑based parts check will confirm the correct part group.

Does a 2017 Toyota Wish have a thrust bearing?

No clutch‑type thrust bearing. The 2017 Wish is CVT‑only, so there’s no manual clutch or release (throw‑out) bearing. The engine does have internal crankshaft thrust bearings, but they aren’t service items. If someone’s hearing a “thrust bearing” noise, it’s usually a wheel hub bearing, a strut top mount bearing, or a pulley bearing.

What noises get mistaken for a failed thrust bearing on a CVT Wish?

A steady hum that grows with road speed is commonly a front wheel bearing. A notchy feel or creak when turning the wheel points to a strut top mount bearing. A light whirr or chirp from the front of the engine could be an auxiliary belt idler or tensioner. CVT pulley or pump whine changes with load and may improve with correct CVT fluid service.

What should owners service instead if they went looking for a thrust bearing?

Prioritise CVT fluid at the recommended interval for local conditions, inspect front hub bearings for play/noise, check strut top mounts if steering feels rough, and keep engine mounts and driveline components in good nick. These steps prevent the most common noises that get mislabelled as “thrust bearing” issues.