Which part is often NOT used on a front wheel drive vehicle with a manual transaxle?

In a front-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with a manual transaxle, the pilot bearing is typically not used due to the inherent design of the system.

In manual transaxles, the transmission is usually directly bolted to the engine without a traditional input shaft that extends into a separate pilot bearing. The input shaft is supported within the transmission housing itself, which eliminates the need for a separate pilot bearing to support the shaft. This is different from arrangements commonly seen in rear-wheel-drive setups, where the engine and transmission are more separated, thus necessitating the use of a pilot bearing to provide additional support to the input shaft.

In contrast, both the release bearing and pressure plate are essential components in the operation of the clutch system, facilitating the engagement and disengagement of the engine's power to the wheels. The clutch fork is also vital as it helps to actuate the release bearing when the clutch pedal is pressed, allowing for smooth gear shifts.