Re: Questionable throw out Bearing quality? (long) (archive)

Some Febi/Bilstein stuff is fine but other stuff is junk. They are not an OEM supplier and the quality of their parts is hit-and-miss. Given the amount of labor involved in the replacement of that part, I'd spring another $35 on a Sachs T/O bearing so I wouldn't have to worry about it. Maybe see if MM will exchange it for an OEM bearing for you so your not out the money you already spent on it.

Matt
Maximillian Importing

I just recieved my throw out bearing (ausruecklager or release bearing) from MM and I'm not so sure about it. It's a Febi/Bilstein stock # 11697, P/N 21 51 1 223 366.

The bearing is made of steel, but the carrier (part that is attached to the bearing and slides on the input shaft) is made from a composite. My beef is not with the composite, it is with the way the bearing and carrier are attached. I can push the bearing out of skew with the carrier (with my bare hands) to the point where the bearing face would rub on the input shaft when the clutch is engaged. The way I found this out was: When inspecting the composite carrier (thought it would be all metal), I noticed that the bearing was not centered on the carrier. So, me being me, I just pushed hard on the bearing until it lined up nicely. This scares me, those pressure plate springs are stronger than I am and it wouldn't take much to knock this throw out bearing out of skew.

Is there another part of the clutch that keeps everyone centered?

Is there a better bearing?

Am I high?

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