Crankshaft thrust washers Toyota 1ZZ-FE 2ZZ-GE 1NZ-FE 2NZ-FE

The Toyota ZZ and NZ petrol engines

The Toyota four-cylinder petrol engines of the ZZ family (1ZZ-FE, 2ZZ-GE, 3ZZ-FE, 4ZZ-FE) and NZ family (1NZ-FE, 1NZ-FXE, 2NZ-FE) power the Toyota Corolla, Auris, Avensis, Yaris, Celica, MR2, Prius and Matrix, among others. The ZZ engines (1.8 litres, built from 1997 to 2008) and the NZ engines (1.3 and 1.5 litres) are inline four-cylinders with an aluminium block, double overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder and a timing chain.

Thrust washers

Thrust washers take the clutch thrust and set the crankshaft end play. On a tuned engine with a reinforced clutch, this thrust increases. The uncoated ACL version restores the thrust washers to the original size. The King version, in lead-free Al20Sn1Cu aluminium, is certified by its manufacturer to meet or exceed the vehicle manufacturer's specifications.

The crankshaft is held between these half washers, which limit its movement along its axis. Each time the clutch is disengaged, the clutch thrust pushes it against them, and the thrust face then works on a thin oil film. Once worn, they let the end float grow: the crankshaft moves and its own thrust faces get damaged in turn.

Technical specifications

Technical guide

Only one face of each half washer carries lubrication grooves: it goes against the crankshaft, the plain face against the block or cap. Fitted the other way round, the washer no longer lubricates the crankshaft's thrust face, which then wears very quickly.

On assembly, coat the crankshaft-side face with assembly grease, make sure the half washers seated in the block sit flush, then fit the cap without forcing it and tighten it following the manufacturer's procedure. Finally measure the end float with a dial gauge and check it against the manufacturer's value.

The two brands

	ACL Bearing Company, an Australian manufacturer of high-performance engine bearings since 1949.
	King Engine Bearings, an Israeli engine bearing manufacturer since the 1960s. Its OE Replacement (AM) range thrust washers are made of lead-free aluminium.

Construction and advantages

Vehicle compatibility

These thrust washers fit the Toyota petrol engines (engine codes 1NZ-FE, 1NZ-FXE, 1ZZ-FE, 2NZ-FE, 2ZZ-GE, 3ZZ-FE and 4ZZ-FE) of the following vehicles: