Parts for your 2021 Honda Odyssey-Thrust bearing

2021 Honda Odyssey thrust-bearing — is it actually a thing?

Short answer: a thrust-bearing, as most people mean it (the clutch release/throwout bearing), isn’t used on the 2021 Honda Odyssey. This model runs an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) in Australia and New Zealand, so there’s no manual clutch and no release/thrust bearing to service or replace.

Why that matters: in parts catalogues, “thrust bearing” commonly points to a manual transmission’s release bearing. The 2021 Odyssey has a CVT with a torque converter, so clutch hardware like a pressure plate, friction disc, and thrust/release bearing simply aren’t fitted.

Technical references backing this up include Honda’s 2021 Odyssey Owner’s Manual and Service Manual for the RC-series (AU/NZ) showing a CVT driveline with a torque converter and no manual clutch assembly, and Honda’s electronic parts catalogues for the 2021 Odyssey, which list no clutch release/thrust bearing for this vehicle. Those same sources do show a MacPherson strut front suspension with a strut top mount and bearing, and internal thrust bearings/washers within the engine and transmission—but those are different parts and not the “clutch thrust bearing” people usually search for.

• Not fitted: clutch release/thrust bearing (no manual clutch on the 2021 Odyssey CVT).
• Present but internal: engine crankshaft thrust bearing surfaces and CVT/gearbox thrust washers/bearings—only relevant during major overhauls.
• Present as a suspension item: front strut mount bearing (sometimes called a strut thrust bearing) to let the strut rotate as you steer.

So if someone’s chasing a “thrust bearing” for a 2021 Odyssey thinking it’s a clutch part, it won’t be applicable. If the concern is front-end creaks, notchy steering, or “memory steer”, they’re likely after the front strut top mount/bearing instead. And if the question is about engine or transmission internals, those thrust bearings aren’t routine service items—good oil and CVT fluid maintenance per Honda’s schedule is the way to keep them happy.

Sources referenced: Honda 2021 Odyssey (RC-series, AU/NZ) Owner’s Manual and Service Manual—Driveline (CVT) and Front Suspension sections, Honda genuine parts catalogues for 2021 Odyssey (transmission and front suspension assemblies).

Popular questions

Does a 2021 Honda Odyssey have a clutch thrust/release bearing?

No. The AU/NZ 2021 Odyssey uses a CVT with a torque converter, so there’s no manual clutch and no release bearing to service. Honda’s service and parts information for the RC-series confirms there’s no clutch assembly on this model.

What’s the “thrust bearing” people mention in the Odyssey’s suspension?

That’s the strut mount bearing at the top of the front MacPherson struts. It lets the strut turn smoothly as you steer. If it wears, you might notice notchy steering, creaks on low-speed turns, or a tendency for the wheel to “stick” off-centre. Replacement is straightforward for a workshop and it’s common to do the mount and bearing together, followed by a wheel alignment.

Are there thrust bearings inside the engine or transmission, and do they need routine servicing?

Yes—there are thrust bearing surfaces in the engine’s main bearings and thrust elements inside the transmission. They aren’t serviced on their own during normal maintenance. The best protection is sticking to Honda’s service intervals, using the specified engine oil and CVT fluid, and fixing leaks early to prevent wear.