Parts for your 2020 Audi Q5-Thrust bearing

2020 Audi Q5 thrust-bearing — is it actually a thing on this model?

For the 2020 Audi Q5 (FY/B9), a standalone “thrust-bearing” isn’t a relevant or fitted service part. Technical documentation for this model year shows the Q5 is delivered with automatic drivetrains only: the longitudinal 7‑speed S tronic dual‑clutch (DL382, e.g., 0CK/0CL) on most 2.0 TFSI/TDI variants, and the 8‑speed Tiptronic (torque‑converter auto) on higher‑output engines. Audi’s Self‑Study Programmes for the DL382 and the Q5 FY repair manuals describe an internal concentric slave cylinder and release bearing setup for the S tronic, and no clutch release bearing at all for the Tiptronic. There’s no external “thrust-bearing” to service on these cars.

In Audi technical terms, the only “thrust” bearings on a 2020 Q5 are internal components: crankshaft thrust washers within the engine’s main bearings (EA888 Gen.3/Gen.3B documentation) and the integrated release bearings inside the DL382 clutch housing. These are not routine service items and require major disassembly if they ever need work. Sources: Audi Self‑Study Programme for the 7‑speed dual‑clutch gearbox DL382 (0CK/0CL), Audi Q5 (FY) Repair Manuals (drivetrain and automatic gearbox), and EA888 engine design literature.

Why people ask for a “thrust-bearing” on a Q5 usually comes down to naming. In workshop chatter, “thrust bearing” can mean several different parts. On this model, what they likely mean is one of the following:

• Strut top mount bearing (front suspension) – allows smooth steering rotation of the coilover strut.
• Wheel hub bearing – a separate hub/bearing unit that can drone or hum with speed.
• Internal clutch release bearing (DL382 S tronic) – lives inside the gearbox as part of the clutch actuator.

For owners: if someone quotes a “thrust-bearing” for a 2020 Q5, it’s worth asking which assembly they actually mean. There’s no routine maintenance for a thrust-bearing on this vehicle. Regular servicing that does help the known bearing systems includes scheduled S tronic fluid and filter changes (where applicable), correct wheel alignment and tyre pressures to protect hub bearings, and timely replacement of strut mounts/bearings if there’s notchy steering or clunks over bumps.

If there’s growling at certain speeds, a rising-and-falling hum in corners, or steering that sticks and then frees up, a proper inspection will pinpoint whether it’s a wheel bearing, a strut top bearing, or something inside the transmission. The internal DL382 release bearing isn’t serviced on its own, if faulty, the repair typically involves gearbox removal and replacement of the clutch module or concentric slave assembly.

Popular questions about 2020 Audi Q5 thrust-bearing

Does a 2020 Audi Q5 actually have a thrust-bearing I can replace?
On this model, there’s no separate thrust-bearing listed as a service part. The S tronic uses an internal release bearing built into the clutch actuator, and the Tiptronic has no clutch release bearing at all. Any “thrust” function in the engine (crankshaft end float) is handled by internal thrust washers that aren’t part of normal servicing.

If a workshop mentions a thrust-bearing, they may be referring to the front strut top mount bearing or a wheel hub bearing—both are external, diagnosable, and replaceable.

What are the symptoms people confuse with a thrust-bearing fault on a 2020 Q5?
Common mix-ups include a humming or droning wheel bearing that changes with road speed, or a notchy, springy feel when turning the wheel from a worn strut top bearing. Inside the S tronic, genuine release-bearing or clutch issues can show as harsh engagement, judder, or gearbox warnings—but those are internal faults needing specialist attention.

A quick road test and steering check will usually separate suspension or hub noises from transmission concerns.

Is there any maintenance that prevents thrust or bearing issues on a 2020 Q5?
Yes—follow the scheduled S tronic fluid and filter services, keep tyres matched and correctly inflated, and sort worn suspension mounts promptly. These steps reduce load and heat on bearings and help everything last longer.

There’s no routine replacement interval for any “thrust-bearing” as such on this model, because the only true thrust components are internal engine or gearbox parts.