Parts for your 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse cross-Thrust bearing

Is a thrust bearing used on the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross?

Short answer: a thrust bearing isn’t a relevant, serviceable part on a 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross in Australia or New Zealand. Technical references including Mitsubishi Motors Australia model specifications for MY20 Eclipse Cross (all variants listed with INVECS-III CVT), the Eclipse Cross workshop manual sections covering the CVT automatic, and Mitsubishi’s electronic parts catalogue for AU/NZ models (no clutch/release bearing listed) confirm there’s no manual clutch assembly on these vehicles. No clutch means no clutch thrust/release bearing to service.

Why’s that? The Eclipse Cross sold in AU/NZ pairs its 1.5L turbo engine with a continuously variable transmission that uses a hydraulic torque converter to get the car moving, not a friction clutch. In a manual, the thrust (release) bearing is the bit that pushes on the clutch diaphragm spring when you press the pedal. With a CVT and torque converter, that part simply doesn’t exist. While there are internal thrust-type bearings inside the engine and transmission, they’re embedded components addressed only during a full overhaul—not routine servicing items.

What owners sometimes call a “thrust bearing noise” is often something else entirely on this model. If there’s a whirring or rumble at idle or under light load, look instead at:

• Front strut top bearings/mounts (steering notchiness or creak over bumps)
• Auxiliary belt idler/tensioner or alternator pulley noise
• CVT fluid condition and CVT pump/primary pulley whine
• Engine mounts transmitting vibration through the cabin

Servicing-wise, there’s no clutch release/thrust bearing to maintain or replace on a scheduled basis. The smart play is to keep the CVT happy: follow the service book for CVT fluid inspection and replacement intervals, use the specified Mitsubishi CVT fluid, and ensure cooling and software updates are up to date. If you’re chasing a noise you thought was a “thrust bearing”, a technician can road test, check for DTCs, listen with a stethoscope under the bonnet, and isolate whether it’s suspension top mounts, belt-drive hardware, or CVT-related.

Technical sources referenced: Mitsubishi Motors Australia Eclipse Cross MY20 specification sheets (CVT across AU/NZ range), Eclipse Cross workshop manual CVT section outlining torque-converter CVT architecture, and Mitsubishi ASA/EPC listings for AU/NZ that omit a clutch/release bearing group for 2020 models.

Popular questions

Does the 2020 Eclipse Cross have a clutch thrust (release) bearing?
It doesn’t on AU/NZ models. These cars run an INVECS-III CVT with a torque converter, so there’s no manual clutch or release/thrust bearing to service.

What could sound like a failed thrust bearing on my CVT Eclipse Cross?
Common culprits include a worn strut top bearing, an idler/tensioner pulley, or characteristic CVT pulley/pump whine. A quick workshop inspection can pinpoint the source.

Is there any “thrust bearing” I should service on this vehicle?
Only internal thrust bearings exist inside the engine and CVT and they’re not routine service items. Stick to the factory schedule—especially CVT fluid checks—and address suspension mount or belt-drive noises promptly.