Tranny Release Bearing

[Barry Cook]

Hi All,

I noticed on Ebay a fellow has a modified clutch/pressure plate release bearing having replace the carbon with a real bearing.  Sounds like a good idea for the sake of longevity, but I like to hear any opinion, or better, long time experiences with this bearing.  At 10 times the cost, it would seem to be worth it when taking in consideration the effort removing the tranny, and or, the engine getting to this bugger.  But then again, if the carbon bearing wears out about as fast as the clutch disc, then it would not be worth it ???

Any ideas, before I plunk down any money for this unit ???

Thank You All,

Barry Cook

[Duncan]

John Twist has a good video on the topic.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KIdkOWVcGg

On Sunday, October 14, 2018, 1:30:03 PM PDT, Barry Cook barryc8950@yahoo.com [mg-tabc] mg-tabc-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

  Hi All,I noticed on Ebay a fellow has a modified clutch/pressure plate release bearing having replace the carbon with a real bearing.  Sounds like a good idea for the sake of longevity, but I like to hear any opinion, or better, long time experiences with this bearing.  At 10 times the cost, it would seem to be worth it when taking in consideration the effort removing the tranny, and or, the engine getting to this bugger.  But then again, if the carbon bearing wears out about as fast as the clutch disc, then it would not be worth it ???Any ideas, before I plunk down any money for this unit ??? Thank You All,Barry Cook

[ian thomson]

Re: "Hi All,I noticed on Ebay a fellow has a modified clutch/pressure plate release bearing having replace the carbon with a real bearing. Sounds like a good idea for the sake of longevity, but I like to hear any opinion, or better, long time experiences with this bearing.'" Barry. My opinion is to keep it simple, and it doesn't come much simpler than a carbon block. The big advantage, for me, is that dirt doesn't bother them. In my experience they also don't wear any quicker than the clutch plate itself and the only real failure mode is for them to break up. Even when this happens though there is a good chance that you will know nothing about it until you next pull the engine as the pieces tend to stay in place and continue working satisfactorily. Compare this with a roller bearing as used in modern cars where when dirt gets in the bearings become loose, the cage breaks up and you end up with a tow home unless you know how to change gear without a clutch and are close enough to home to make it without having to stop too often. I have also seen modern bearing housings, which tend to be plastic nowadays, melt enough to come adrift from their moorings as the failing bearing heats up with quite interesting results. This cannot happen with a carbon block. I hope that this is helpful. Regards Ian Thomson Notts. UK.

[Clive Sherriff]

No, It does not work on the MG XPAG etc. clutch due to the geometry of the clutch lever / release mechanism which does not keep the bearing parallel to the drive shaft and clutch bearing face. Clive Oxford, UK m mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail" target="_blank">[img]https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/i ... v1.gif> alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;" /> Virus-free. https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail" target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avast.com On 10/15/18, ian thomson i.thomson@talk21.com [mg-tabc] mg-tabc-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> Re: > > "Hi All,I noticed on Ebay a fellow has a modified clutch/pressure plate > release bearing having replace the carbon with a real bearing. Sounds like a > good idea for the sake of longevity, but I like to hear any opinion, or > better, long time experiences with this bearing.'" > > Barry. My opinion is to keep it simple, and it doesn't come much simpler > than a carbon block. The big advantage, for me, is that dirt doesn't bother > them. In my experience they also don't wear any quicker than the clutch > plate itself and the only real failure mode is for them to break up. Even > when this happens though there is a good chance that you will know nothing > about it until you next pull the engine as the pieces tend to stay in place > and continue working satisfactorily. Compare this with a roller bearing as > used in modern cars where when dirt gets in the bearings become loose, the > cage breaks up and you end up with a tow home unless you know how to change > gear without a clutch and are close enough to home to make it without having > to stop too often. I have also seen modern bearing housings, which tend to > be plastic nowadays, melt enough to come adrift from their moorings as the > failing bearing heats up with quite interesting results. This cannot happen > with a carbon block. I hope that this is helpful. > Regards > Ian Thomson > Notts. UK.

[Bob Grunau]

Hi All,

Big print for old guys.

Barry, I would NOT touch that roller bearing with a barge pole. It is a BAD idea as the roller bearing pivots on the clutch fork and so does not remain in direct straight on contact with the clutch cover. It moves through an arc and so becomes side loaded in use. A friend tried a roller several years ago and it only lasted a short while before it failed.

 

The carbon thrust can accommodate the off-set as it goes through the arc. In 66 years of T Type ownership, I have never had a carbon thrust fail and have to be replaced . However, make SURE you have a return spring on the clutch pedal so the carbon thrust is clear when driving. And don t ride the clutch when driving. I shift to neutral at extended stop lights and take my foot off the clutch to save wear on the carbon thrust. .

 

Earlier MG MMM cars use a roller bearing but the bearing remained in straight on contact as the roller was located around the first motion shaft and vertical movement was accommodated by the clutch fork. Different design from the T Type.

 

Believe it or not, the MG Boys knew what they were doing.

 

But as always, your car, your money, your decision.

 

Bob, with both MMM an T Type MG cars

 

Bob Grunau

150 Pinewood Trail,

Mississauga, Ontario

Canada, L5G-2L1

905-274-4136

 

 

 

[b]From:[/b] mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]Barry Cook barryc8950@yahoo.com [mg-tabc] [b]Sent:[/b] Sunday, October 14, 2018 4:20 PM [b]To:[/b] MG-TABC List [b]Subject:[/b] [mg-tabc] Tranny Release Bearing

 

Hi All,

I noticed on Ebay a fellow has a modified clutch/pressure plate release bearing having replace the carbon with a real bearing.  Sounds like a good idea for the sake of longevity, but I like to hear any opinion, or better, long time experiences with this bearing.  At 10 times the cost, it would seem to be worth it when taking in consideration the effort removing the tranny, and or, the engine getting to this bugger.  But then again, if the carbon bearing wears out about as fast as the clutch disc, then it would not be worth it ???

Any ideas, before I plunk down any money for this unit ???

 

Thank You All,

Barry Cook

[Steve Tom]

Many years ago I worked as a mechanic at an MG dealership in Indiana. I only worked there for a year or so, but the long time mechanics told me the only times they ever had release bearings fail before the clutch wore out was when they used a ball bearing upgrade instead of the factory carbon plate bearing. They used the ball bearings for about six months, at which point the first ones started failing. Eventually had to replace all of them at their expense.

 

Steve Tom / TC5311

 

[James Lee]

When I let the clutch out on TC8110 with car out of gear I hear a  continuous but light scrapping noise like the release bearing in in contact with clutch tabs - but when I push it in the noise goes away - clutch does not slip when moving or starting to move - any ideas or has anyone seen or in reality heard this -Thank youJames LeeMontana Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 16, 2018, at 1:10 PM, Steve Tom steventtom@aol.com [mg-tabc] mg-tabc-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

  Many years ago I worked as a mechanic at an MG dealership in Indiana.  I only worked there for a year or so, but the long time mechanics told me the only times they ever had release bearings fail before the clutch wore out was when they used a ball bearing upgrade instead of the factory carbon plate bearing.  They used the ball bearings for about six months, at which point the first ones started failing.  Eventually had to replace all of them at their expense.

 

Steve Tom / TC5311

 

[Bob Grunau]

Make sure there is a return spring on the clutch lever to be SURE the release bearing is fully clear of the clutch.

Bob

 

[b]From:[/b] mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]James Lee rmrmaintenance@aol.com [mg-tabc] [b]Sent:[/b] Tuesday, October 16, 2018 3:26 PM [b]To:[/b] Steve Tom [b]Cc:[/b] mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [mg-tabc] Re: Tranny Release Bearing

 

 

When I let the clutch out on TC8110 with car out of gear I hear a  continuous but light scrapping noise like the release bearing in in contact with clutch tabs - but when I push it in the noise goes away - clutch does not slip when moving or starting to move - any ideas or has anyone seen or in reality heard this -Thank you

James Lee

Montana

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 16, 2018, at 1:10 PM, Steve Tom steventtom@aol.com [mg-tabc] mg-tabc-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Many years ago I worked as a mechanic at an MG dealership in Indiana.  I only worked there for a year or so, but the long time mechanics told me the only times they ever had release bearings fail before the clutch wore out was when they used a ball bearing upgrade instead of the factory carbon plate bearing.  They used the ball bearings for about six months, at which point the first ones started failing.  Eventually had to replace all of them at their expense.

 

Steve Tom / TC5311

 

[James Lee]

I'll check it - might not hear it when I'm in gear and going - don't want to wear it out any faster than necessary - not sure if spring or not - should be easy to see Thank youJames Lee Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 17, 2018, at 4:31 AM, Bob Grunau grunau.garage@sympatico.ca> wrote:

Make sure there is a return spring on the clutch lever to be SURE the release bearing is fully clear of the clutch.

Bob

 

[b]From:[/b] mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]James Lee rmrmaintenance@aol.com [mg-tabc] [b]Sent:[/b] Tuesday, October 16, 2018 3:26 PM [b]To:[/b] Steve Tom [b]Cc:[/b] mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [b]Subject:[/b] Re: [mg-tabc] Re: Tranny Release Bearing

 

 

When I let the clutch out on TC8110 with car out of gear I hear a  continuous but light scrapping noise like the release bearing in in contact with clutch tabs - but when I push it in the noise goes away - clutch does not slip when moving or starting to move - any ideas or has anyone seen or in reality heard this -Thank you

James Lee

Montana

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 16, 2018, at 1:10 PM, Steve Tom steventtom@aol.com [mg-tabc] mg-tabc-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Many years ago I worked as a mechanic at an MG dealership in Indiana.  I only worked there for a year or so, but the long time mechanics told me the only times they ever had release bearings fail before the clutch wore out was when they used a ball bearing upgrade instead of the factory carbon plate bearing.  They used the ball bearings for about six months, at which point the first ones started failing.  Eventually had to replace all of them at their expense.

 

Steve Tom / TC5311

 

[Steve Tom]

Phil,

 

Yes, absolutely it was in Logansport. The business is now run by the youngest son of the founder. The business went from being an MG/Jaguar/Triumph/Fiat dealer when I was there to being a Jeep/Chrysler dealership. Chrysler jerked those lines during the government bailout. They very nearly went out of business after that, but they managed to hang on and now repair and restore vintage British and Italian sports cars, and are a strong supporter of SCCA to boot.

 

Steve