RE: [alfa] 40K miles and bad clutch release bearing?

["Brian Shorey" <bshorey@xxxxxxxxx>]

> I have not taken the engine/transmission out yet to confirm
> diagnosis, but by the sound that started about 2 weeks ago it
> seems like the throw-out bearing has gone bad on my 69
> spider. I replaced the pressure plate/disk/bearing back in
> 1999, 40 K miles ago with new parts (from either centerline
> or international I forget which). The clutch was working fine
> then, but I had the trany rebuilt, so I replaced these parts
> just to be safe. The fly-wheel looked good so I did not resurface.
>
> Any idea why this part might go bad so quickly? . I am the
> cars only driver and I do not ride the clutch and it sees
> only fair tame freeway miles. The clutch is the
> self-adjusting hydraulic type, so I know adjustment was not
> an issue. There does not appear to be leaks from any of the seals.

Slipping the clutch won't cause wear on the TO bearing.  Sitting at a stop
light, with the clutch depressed fully, is when the TO bearing gets the most
wear (especially if you're revving the engine..).

If you spend a lot of time sitting at lights and such, you might want to
consider changing your habits to shift the car into neutral, then let up on
the clutch pedal.  That will release the pressure on the TO bearing,
extending its life.

HTH,

bs
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