Parts for your 2021 Subaru Impreza-Thrust bearing

2021 Subaru Impreza thrust-bearing: is it actually used on this model?

Short answer: not as a serviceable clutch “thrust-bearing”. For the 2021 Subaru Impreza sold in Australia and New Zealand, every trim is fitted with Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT (TR580). There’s no factory manual gearbox in these markets for MY21, which means there’s no clutch release/thrust bearing to service or replace. This is confirmed by Subaru’s published model specs and the factory service information for the 2021MY Impreza (FB20 engine with TR580 CVT).

Why it isn’t used comes down to how the driveline is built. A manual needs a clutch and a release (thrust) bearing to disengage it, the Impreza’s CVT uses a torque converter and pulley/belt system, so that clutch hardware simply isn’t there. In Aussie and Kiwi workshop slang, “thrust bearing” usually means the clutch release bearing — so for a 2021 Impreza CVT, that part isn’t relevant.

What the car does have are thrust bearings in places you don’t normally touch during routine servicing:

• Engine crankshaft thrust bearing (integrated with the main bearings on the FB20). It controls crank end-float but isn’t a scheduled-service item, it’s checked or replaced only during engine rebuild work.
• Internal CVT thrust bearings/washers within the TR580. These are inside the transmission and serviced only during a full CVT overhaul.

If someone’s chasing a “thrust-bearing” noise on a 2021 Impreza, it’s more likely a different issue: accessory belt components, pulley/idler bearings, or CVT-related noises. CVT fluid changes at the specified intervals and using the correct Subaru-approved CVT fluid are the key preventative steps. Any rumble, grind, or whine that changes with road speed or gear engagement should be diagnosed by a Subaru-savvy technician with the factory procedures.

Note for owners of imports or conversions: some overseas markets offered manuals in other years/trims, and a used import could have a 5MT — in that case a clutch release (thrust) bearing would apply. Check the VIN build data and transmission type to be sure.

Technical sources referenced (document titles and sections):

• Subaru Australia/New Zealand 2021MY Impreza specifications/brochure: Lineartronic CVT across the range.
• Subaru Factory Service Manual, 2021MY Impreza (FB20): Engine Mechanical – Crankshaft – Thrust clearance/end play inspection.
• Subaru Factory Service Manual, 2021MY Impreza (TR580 CVT): General Description and Disassembly/Assembly – internal thrust bearings/washers.

FAQs

Does a 2021 Subaru Impreza have a thrust bearing?
For Australian and New Zealand models, there’s no clutch release/thrust bearing because the car is CVT-only. The engine and CVT do contain internal thrust bearings, but they aren’t routine service items.

What symptoms point to a thrust-bearing problem on a 2021 Impreza?
On CVT cars, true “thrust-bearing” faults are rare and internal. Owners might instead hear accessory belt or pulley noises, or CVT whine under load. Any rumble that changes with gear selection or road speed should be checked with factory diagnostic steps.

Can the thrust bearing be replaced on a 2021 Impreza?
The clutch-style thrust bearing isn’t applicable on CVT models. Engine crank thrust bearings are only replaced during an engine rebuild, and CVT thrust bearings require a transmission overhaul, both jobs are specialist workshop tasks.