Parts for your 2023 Subaru Impreza-Thrust bearing

Is a thrust bearing used on the 2023 Subaru Impreza?

Short answer: a separate “thrust bearing” isn’t a relevant service part on most 2023 Subaru Impreza models sold in Australia and New Zealand. Technical references from Subaru Australia’s MY23 Impreza specifications confirm all grades are fitted with a Lineartronic CVT, not a manual gearbox. Subaru’s own training material for the TR580 Lineartronic CVT outlines a torque converter and internal clutch packs, so there’s no external clutch release/throw‑out (often called a thrust) bearing in this drivetrain.

It’s worth noting the Impreza’s 2.0‑litre Subaru FB engine does have a crankshaft thrust bearing integrated into the main bearing set (identified in Subaru factory service information as the thrust location for controlling crankshaft end float). That internal bearing isn’t a routine service item, it’s only inspected and replaced during major engine overhaul with precise measurements and clearances. It isn’t what parts catalogues usually list as a standalone “thrust bearing”.

So when someone’s hunting a “thrust bearing” for a 2023 Impreza in AU/NZ, they’re typically thinking of a clutch release/thrust bearing used on manual models. Because the local MY23 cars run CVT, that part doesn’t exist on the vehicle. If a 2023 Impreza from another market happens to be a manual, then yes, a clutch release bearing would be fitted—but that isn’t the case for Australian or New Zealand new‑car spec in 2023.

Why it isn’t used on local cars:

• CVT architecture: a torque converter handles engagement, and ratio changes are via a chain and variable pulleys—no manual clutch, so no clutch thrust/release bearing.
• Any “thrust bearing” within the engine is an internal main/thrust shell, addressed only during engine rebuilding, not scheduled servicing.

Technical sources referenced: Subaru Australia MY23 Impreza specifications (all grades CVT), Subaru Technical Training/Service information on the TR580 Lineartronic CVT (torque converter and no clutch release bearing), and Subaru FB‑series engine factory service manual notes identifying the main bearing position that provides crankshaft thrust control.

• Does the 2023 Subaru Impreza have a clutch thrust/release bearing?
  For Australian and New Zealand models, no. They use Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT, which has a torque converter and internal clutches, so there’s no external clutch release/thrust bearing to service or replace.
• Does the FB20 engine in a 2023 Impreza have a crankshaft thrust bearing?
  Yes, internally. The FB20 uses a thrust surface within the main bearing set to control crankshaft end float. It’s an internal engine component checked only during rebuilds—not part of normal servicing.
• Hearing a rumble or whine—could it be a thrust bearing on a CVT Impreza?
  Unlikely. On CVT cars, noises at idle or under load are more commonly from the accessory drive, pulley bearings, the CVT’s input bearings, or the torque converter. A proper inspection can pinpoint the source before parts are ordered.