When a clutch thrust bearing (also known as a clutch release bearing) fails, it can lead to several problems that affect the operation of your vehicle's drivetrain. Clutch thrust bearings play a vital role in the clutch disengagement process, allowing for smooth gear shifts and interruptions in power transfer from the engine to the transmission. Here are the consequences of a failed clutch thrust bearing.

1. Difficult shifting: A failed clutch thrust bearing can make shifting difficult. The clutch may not disengage properly, causing the gears to stick or grind when trying to change them. This is because the bearing is responsible for pushing the clutch release fork, which in turn moves the clutch release mechanism to disengage the clutch plates.

2. Clutch Slipping:The clutch may begin to slip, which means that the engine continues to turn over and the transmission does not receive full power. This can lead to reduced acceleration and poor vehicle performance. Clutch slippage occurs when the clutch plates do not fully disengage and re-engage, leading to wear and potential damage to clutch components.

3. Increased Noise and Vibration:A failed clutch thrust bearing can produce unusual noises such as squealing, grinding, or clicking when the clutch pedal is depressed. These noises are usually accompanied by an increase in vibration, especially when shifting gears or when the clutch is engaged. 

4. Damage to Clutch Components:Over time, a failed clutch thrust bearing can cause additional wear and tear on other clutch components, including the clutch disc, pressure plate, and release mechanism. This can lead to more extensive and costly repairs if not addressed in a timely manner.

5. Loss of clutch pedal feel: The clutch pedal may feel different or less responsive due to a thrust bearing failure. Drivers may notice changes in pedal travel, stiffness or engagement point, which makes it more difficult to adjust the clutch for smooth shifting.

6. Increased Fuel Consumption:Clutch slippage or difficulty in shifting gears can lead to increased fuel consumption because the engine has to work harder to compensate for the inefficiency of the drivetrain.

7. Clutch failure: The main function of the clutch thrust bearing is to withstand the axial forces between the engine and the gearbox and to ensure that the clutch disc can make smooth contact with the flywheel. If the thrust bearing fails, the clutch plate may not be able to contact the flywheel properly, resulting in the clutch not working properly and the vehicle may not start or run.

8. Engine vibration: Thrust bearing failure may cause the engine to vibrate irregularly during operation because the bearing is no longer effective in absorbing and dispersing the axial forces of the engine.

9. Gearbox damage: If the thrust bearing fails, the gearbox may not be able to withstand the axial forces of the engine, which may result in damage to gears, shafts or other components inside the gearbox.

10. Engine wear: If the thrust bearing fails, the axial force of the engine may cause wear and tear on the internal components of the engine, which may affect the performance and life of the engine.

11. Safety risk: If the thrust bearing fails, the clutch may not work properly, which may lead to a sudden loss of power while the vehicle is traveling, thus increasing the safety risk.

In summary, clutch thrust bearing failure can seriously affect the driving performance and safety of the vehicle. To address the problem of clutch thrust bearing failure, vehicle owners should carry out timely inspection and repair. Once signs of bearing failure are found, the bearing should be replaced immediately with a new one, and the wear of the three-piece clutch set (pressure plate, friction plate and release bearing) should be checked simultaneously and replaced if necessary. Meanwhile, vehicle owners should also carry out regular maintenance and repair of the clutch system to minimize the probability of failure and prolong the service life to ensure smooth and efficient operation of the vehicle.