Throw out Bearing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 9
From: New England
Throw out Bearing
When I replaced my clutch a few years ago the throw out bearing was a composite one not a metal one , I am getting a binding feeling and noise when I compress the clutch against the pressure plate forks. I can actually feel it dry rubbing as I press the clutch in. My question is has any body ever had this problem and is it possible to apply a little spray dry graphite to eliminate the binding. I don't think I would have a problem getting it on the forks and not all over the place. Has this been an issue for anybody else? On my last clutch repair I actually had 3 forks on my pressure plate break . Lots of stop and go driving that I do probably over worked the forks. I really had my doubts about the composite -versus - the metal throw out bearing but I figured new technology was better than old school . 
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I've never seen a composite TB. Your binding feeling might be coming from where the bearing slides over the input nose cone,did you grease that ?
Also did you slide the disc over the input shaft splines to check for bind,did you grease those splines before installing the clutch ?
Did you get the TB installed correctly on the fork ?
Also did you slide the disc over the input shaft splines to check for bind,did you grease those splines before installing the clutch ?
Did you get the TB installed correctly on the fork ?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
A potential problem is the installation of the TOB bearing on the clutch fork. The yahoo that had my car before me installed the fork on the TOB incorrectly and the pic below shows the result.
As you can see from the pic, the fork was partially in the middle of the TOB and the spring was on the backside. The fork must be wholly in the middle of the TOB. This is a common mistake. It causes binding after time which you feel in the clutch pedal. It feels dry. You also do not have the adjustability for free play like you should. Regardless, you should drop the trans and take a look. I thought I needed a new front bearing retainer (shaft the TOB slides on) on my trans or a new clutch set-up. After finding what I did, I replaced the front bearing retainer, front bearing nut and TOB and all is well. Drop the trans and your eyes will be opened.
As you can see from the pic, the fork was partially in the middle of the TOB and the spring was on the backside. The fork must be wholly in the middle of the TOB. This is a common mistake. It causes binding after time which you feel in the clutch pedal. It feels dry. You also do not have the adjustability for free play like you should. Regardless, you should drop the trans and take a look. I thought I needed a new front bearing retainer (shaft the TOB slides on) on my trans or a new clutch set-up. After finding what I did, I replaced the front bearing retainer, front bearing nut and TOB and all is well. Drop the trans and your eyes will be opened.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 9
From: New England
glackore, I was reading about your problem from your post , I don't think that's my problem because I installed it myself but thanks for the jeads up so I don't forget next time.
...Roger... , This " LUK " clutch was a set and it had a composite throw-out bearing ( sorry I did not throw it out ) I have had this set in my car for about 5 years with no problems it started about 3 months ago . I did notice the the pressure plate forks look a little rusty so I am going to try and squirt a little grease on them and see if that stops the binding feeling. Had my wife sit in the car to help me out while I was under it and when I told her to step on the clutch the break pedal went down, she just reinforced why I don't let her drive my car!!
...Roger... , This " LUK " clutch was a set and it had a composite throw-out bearing ( sorry I did not throw it out ) I have had this set in my car for about 5 years with no problems it started about 3 months ago . I did notice the the pressure plate forks look a little rusty so I am going to try and squirt a little grease on them and see if that stops the binding feeling. Had my wife sit in the car to help me out while I was under it and when I told her to step on the clutch the break pedal went down, she just reinforced why I don't let her drive my car!!
