A mechanical failure where the crankshaft develops excessive thrust clearance, allowing it to move horizontally along its axis during operation. This lateral movement damages main bearings, ruins the clutch engagement, and can eventually destroy the engine block. It is famously associated with specific generations of Mitsubishi 4G63 engines.
Heard on the job
You can feel the clutch pedal sticking to the floor, which is a classic sign of crankwalk on these early engines.
Insider tip
A quick check for crankwalk is prying the crank pulley back and forth with a heavy screwdriver to measure end play.