Parts for your 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander-Thrust bearing

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander thrust-bearing: is it a thing?

Short answer: a clutch thrust-bearing isn’t fitted to the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, so that specific part isn’t relevant for this model year. This is backed by technical sources including the Mitsubishi Motors Australia 2020 Outlander brochure/specifications (CVT across the petrol range, no manual), the factory service manual for the third‑gen Outlander (no clutch or release/thrust-bearing section), the Jatco CVT8 (JF016E) technical overview (torque‑converter CVT with no manual clutch or release bearing), and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV MY20 technical guide (single‑speed transaxle, no friction clutch). With no manual clutch in the lineup, there’s no throw‑out/release/thrust bearing to service or replace.

Why it’s not used: the 2020 Outlander petrol models run a Jatco CVT with a torque converter, and the PHEV uses a reduction gear with electric drive. Both systems do away with the conventional manual clutch assembly. A thrust-bearing (as most drivers know it) is the release bearing that rides the clutch diaphragm spring in a manual transmission. Since the Outlander doesn’t have that hardware in 2020, there’s no external “thrust-bearing” as a service item.

Worth noting for the technically minded: there are thrust bearings inside the engine (crankshaft thrust bearings as part of the main bearing set) and inside the transmission/CVT. These are internal components managed during a rebuild, not routine servicing parts. They aren’t listed as stand‑alone service items in scheduled maintenance for this vehicle.

• Driveline fitment (2020 AU/NZ): 2.4‑litre petrol with CVT, PHEV with reduction gear. No manual option.
• No clutch assembly means no clutch release/thrust bearing to maintain.
• If driveline noise crops up, checks should focus on CVT condition, accessory pulleys, wheel bearings, or engine mounts rather than a non‑existent clutch bearing.

For owners chasing a noise that sounds “like a thrust-bearing”, a qualified technician can road test and pinpoint whether it’s CVT pulley/bearing whine, an idler pulley, or a wheel bearing. Sticking to the correct CVT fluid spec and change intervals (especially for severe use) is the smart maintenance play on this model.

Popular questions

Does a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander have a clutch thrust (release) bearing?

No. The 2020 Outlander range is CVT (and PHEV with a reduction gear), so there’s no manual clutch. That means no release/thrust bearing to replace or service.

What could cause a noise that sounds like a bad thrust-bearing on a 2020 Outlander?

Common culprits include CVT pulley/bearing whine, accessory belt idlers, alternator bearings, or wheel bearings. A workshop can isolate the source quickly with a road test and a stethoscope check under the bonnet.

Are there any thrust bearings in the engine, and do they need servicing?

Yes, the crankshaft uses thrust bearings as part of the main bearing set. They’re internal components and only addressed during engine rebuilds, not routine servicing.