Partially seized throw-out bearing, need input.

[dville_gt]

So some of you might remember my previous post about a sudden increase in clutch pedal effort on our 97 cobra. I had hoped that it was just the cable but it seems that the throw-out bearing is the culprit, would not slide easily on the bearing slide and seemed to bind up on the slide.

So I pulled the trans out last night and the bearing was completely dry, took quite a bit of effort to get it off of the slide. I guess that the bearing binding on the slide also caused the pivot bolt to be pulled out of it's threaded hole in the case (although strangely enough the threads in the case look fine and it after blowing the hole out and running a tap in it the pivot bolt threads back in just fine).

This probably explains why the situation got so much worse right before I pulled it apart (would barely engage the clutch enough to put it in gear).

Anyway, moving forward, O'Reilly has the throw-out bearing I need (2 diff. models, the in-house for 15 or the Federal Mogul for 40, any input here?).

I assume I should take the slide off and attempt to polish out any scuffs/gouges out with a buffing wheel?

Then grease the slide and install the new t/o bearing? What type of grease works best here?

Any other tips/tricks I should think about after experiencing a failure like this?

[thesource]

Clean it off and remove any build up or old grease. Take some emory cloth and polish it out. After that, apply a very light coated of high temp grease or antiseize to it and reinstall a new bearing. Make sure the tube does not feel like it has any areas where the metal has washed out creating a dip in the surface. If it does, you will need to replace the guide tube.

[dville_gt]

Clean it off and remove any build up or old grease. Take some emory cloth and polish it out. After that, apply a very light coated of high temp grease or antiseize to it and reinstall a new bearing. Make sure the tube does not feel like it has any areas where the metal has washed out creating a dip in the surface. If it does, you will need to replace the guide tube.

I was hoping you would see this post! Is this a fairly common issue with the t45? The t/o bearing seemed to have no grease and had a very dry sound when spun on the bearings (besides not sliding on the slide well either).

And what do you think about the pivot ball being pulled out of it's hole? Almost seems like it had to have been loose in there or something otherwise I am not sure how the threads stayed in tact.

[thesource]

If it will screw back in and tighten up, apply some red locktight on it and let it go. Check the ball for excessive wear as well as the fork. Replace if needed.

[dville_gt]

What do you think about the $15 in house O'Reilly throw-out bearing vs. the $40 federal mogul?

[thesource]

I would get one made somewhere other than China. USA or Japan is best.

[shumpertdavid]

don't buy the house brand stuff when it comes to electrical, steering/suspension, or bearing parts with the exception of some of Napa's second line stuff.

[FastFox]

Go with an OEM or the $ 40 bearing. Those Chinese bearings are pure crap. If you had the binding of the bearing, I would buy a NEW steel bearing guide for the front of the transmission. It may polish out, but I'd bet it is slightly dished and will bind up again.

[thesource]

The guide tubes are not available for the T45 new. You would have to find a good clean used one if yours is bad.

[dville_gt]

bolted everything back together last night and man does it feel so nice, clutch effort is 100x lower then i ever remember it and it is very very smooth engagement.

[thesource]

Good to hear! As long as you don't get into any standing water with it, the grease should last for a while.