Parts for your 2022 Mitsubishi Asx-Thrust bearing

2022 Mitsubishi ASX thrust-bearing — is it a thing?

Short answer: a clutch-type thrust bearing isn’t fitted to the 2022 Mitsubishi ASX sold in Australia and New Zealand. Mitsubishi’s MY22 ASX spec sheets list INVECS‑III CVT across the range, with no manual gearbox option. In Mitsubishi’s own technical training for the INVECS‑III CVT (a torque‑converter-based Jatco CVT), there’s no manual clutch assembly, so there’s no clutch release/thrust bearing to service. The only “thrust bearings” on the vehicle are the crankshaft thrust surfaces within the engine’s main bearings (as described in the 4B11/4J-series engine workshop literature), which are internal components and not a routine service item.

What most people mean by “thrust bearing” is the clutch release bearing found on manual transmissions. Because the 2022 ASX uses a CVT, it relies on a torque converter and a belt-and-pulley set, not a friction clutch. That design eliminates the release/thrust bearing entirely.

If a driver is chasing a noise they think is a thrust bearing, a 2022 ASX can’t make a classic “press-the-clutch-and-it-squeals” sound because there’s no clutch pedal. Common sources instead include:

• Accessory drive components (idler/tensioner pulleys, alternator) chirping at idle
• CVT-related whine that changes with road speed (pump or pulley bearings)
• Wheel bearing hum that rises on certain corners

For peace of mind, a workshop can rule these out with a quick inspection and a road test. If the vehicle’s been serviced outside the logbook or used for towing or lots of stop‑start city work, it’s smart to get the CVT fluid condition checked and replaced when recommended by the service schedule or sooner under severe use. That will do far more for long-term reliability than hunting for a non-existent clutch thrust bearing.

Edge case: if someone has a privately imported, rare manual 2022 ASX/RVR (not typical for AU/NZ), that vehicle would use a conventional clutch release bearing. In that scenario, the bearing is replaced with the clutch kit, the fork and pivot get inspected for wear, and the input shaft is lightly lubricated as per the manual.

• Technical sources referenced: Mitsubishi Motors Australia MY22 ASX specifications (CVT fitment across trims), Mitsubishi INVECS‑III CVT technical materials (no manual clutch/release bearing), and Mitsubishi 4B11/4J-series engine workshop manuals (crankshaft thrust bearing integrated with main bearings, not a scheduled service item).

Popular questions

Does a 2022 Mitsubishi ASX have a thrust bearing?

No, not in the clutch sense. The 2022 AU/NZ ASX is CVT-only, so there’s no manual clutch or release/thrust bearing to replace. The only thrust elements are the engine’s internal crankshaft thrust bearings, which aren’t serviced unless the engine is overhauled.

What should be serviced instead of a thrust bearing on a 2022 ASX?

Stick to the logbook: engine oil and filters, and CVT inspections. Many workshops also recommend CVT fluid servicing at sensible intervals, especially for towing, hilly terrain, or heavy urban driving. Keeping the CVT fluid in good nick and checking mounts and driveline bushes will prevent most “bearing-like” noises.

I’m hearing a whine or chirp — could it be a thrust bearing on my ASX?

Unlikely. On a CVT ASX, whines usually come from the CVT pump or pulleys, and chirps often trace back to the accessory belt system. A technician can isolate the noise quickly, if it changes with road speed, think driveline, if it changes with engine rpm at a standstill, think accessory drive.