What will happen if the clutch release/throw out bearing fails?

I drive a 1988 Mazda RX-7 non-turbo 5spd.

The previous owner claims the clutch was done last July(little under a year ago) and I have no reason to doubt such claims. I do believe the clutch release bearing was not installed correctly. When the clutch is not pushed in, there is a spaceship kind of noise(almost the noise a EV makes when accelerating). When I accelerate there is the same noise. However, when I put the clutch in the noise goes near silent. It gets louder the higher the RPM when in neutral.

CKZF-B Series Flywheel Backstop Clutch

I am no mechanic, however after some searching on the internet it seems to be the clutch release/throwout bearing. I am pretty tight on money so I would like to hold back on the repair as long as possible without causing any serious damage. I can imagine that I would be racking up the labor costs and I am not equipped to do the job myself.

The question is, what happens if the clutch release bearing completely fails? Will there be collateral damage to anything else or will I just find myself unable to shift?

Throw-Out Bearing Failure

Vehicles with manual transmissions have a unique set of maintenance issues to consider. The throw-out bearing is one piece of the clutch assembly that can wreak havoc on your transmission if left unchecked. Knowing the signs of impending bearing failure can save you money and ensure your car runs smoothly.

How Throw-Out Bearings Work

A throw-out bearing, also known as a clutch release bearing, is a key component of the mechanism that releases the clutch in a standard vehicle to temporarily disengage the engine from the manual transmission when the driver shifts gears.

When the clutch is engaged, the throw-out bearing moves to the flywheel, where it pushes the pressure plate’s release levers against the pressure plate’s spring. This action disconnects the engine from the wheels so that the vehicle can be shifted into a different gear.

Once the clutch pedal is disengaged, the clutch release bearing returns to its starting position and reconnects the engine’s power to the wheels through the transmission.

Where Is the Throw-Out Bearing Located?

The throw-out bearing can be found between the clutch fork and the pressure plate fingers in the clutch assembly of the car transmission.

Throw-Out Bearing Failure Symptoms

Unusual Noises When Engaging the Clutch Pedal

When the throw-out bearing begins to wear down, drivers will typically hear grinding or rattling sounds when depressing the clutch pedal. If the sounds then stop when the clutch is released, this is a common indication that the clutch release bearing is in need of replacement.

Clutch Pedal Feels Stiff

The more worn down the release bearing is, the harder it will become to depress the clutch pedal. When the clutch pedal begins to require increased force to engage and feels stiff, this is a sign that the throw-out bearing is in danger of failing.

Clutch Pedal Vibrates

The clutch pedal should engage smoothly when depressed. If there are vibrations when pressing the clutch pedal, this is a sign that the throw-out bearing is in its end stages of useful life.

Gear Shifting Difficulties

When the release bearing is wearing down, it will make it difficult to shift gears when the clutch is engaged. You will notice that the gear shift is harder to move, and you may notice a grinding sound as you are shifting. This means it’s time to have some maintenance performed on your vehicle before you can’t shift gears at all due to a total clutch failure.

How to Check Throw-Out Bearings in Your Car

One of the best ways to check the clutch release bearing in your car is to take it out for a drive and use a few simple tests to determine if the problem is with this component.

When you take the vehicle out on the road, listen carefully while using the clutch and changing gears. First, pay attention to any unexpected sounds while the transmission is in gear and the clutch pedal is completely depressed.

Next, listen as you release the clutch while the transmission is in first gear. If you hear any unusual noises when you do this, this likely indicates that the throw-out bearing or pilot bearing needs to be replaced.

How can you tell which bearing is failing? Shift the car into neutral while the clutch is still fully engaged. If you still hear the noise, the culprit is the throw-out bearing. If the noise is gone, the pilot bearing is the part needing replacement. When in doubt, take it to your mechanic for an expert diagnosis.

What Makes Them Go Bad?

Resting the Foot Against the Clutch Pedal While Driving

This is also known as “riding the clutch.” Keeping your foot on the pedal when not actively shifting can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the release bearing by keeping it constantly engaged. Resting your foot off of the clutch pedal when stopped or not actively shifting reduces wear on the bearing and other clutch components.

Changing Gears at a High RPM

When driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, you must change gears at the proper time. The RPMs should be relatively low when shifting. Otherwise, the bearing runs at its highest load and wears down more quickly.

Normal Wear and Tear over Time

Just like any moving part, clutch release bearings wear down over time. Friction takes its toll every time you drive, gradually wearing away material that changes the size and finish of the bearing. At some point, the fit and finish will no longer fit into the assembly properly, causing the clutch to eventually fail if the release bearing isn’t replaced.

Misalignment of the Pressure Plate

If the pressure plate doesn’t line up properly with the release bearing, it can cause a slightly uneven pressure load. This will lead to uneven wear, causing an improper component fit that can hasten bearing failure.

What to Do When You Hear the Throw-Out Bearing Noise

When you hear the grinding and chattering noise indicating a possible clutch release bearing issue, do the driving diagnostic test to see when you hear the noise. If you can still hear it when you shift the car into neutral while the clutch is still fully engaged, you need to make an appointment to see your mechanic as soon as possible.

Can You Drive with a Bad Throw-Out Bearing?

You can drive the car for a while with a bad throw-out bearing, but it is not advisable. Once you start to feel the clutch vibrating when you depress it, it won’t be long until it fails completely, and you won’t be able to shift gears. To decrease the likelihood of ruining your transmission, it’s best to stop driving the vehicle until the release bearing can be replaced. 

Throw-Out Bearing FAQs

How long do throw-out bearings last?

Most throw-out bearings last for the life of the clutch Clutches last around 60,000 miles on average. Depending on driving habits, vehicle type, and climate, they can last much longer or fail much earlier. Consider these variables when estimating the life of expectancy of the release bearings and clutch for your personal vehicle.

When should I replace the throw-out bearing?

It’s advisable to replace the release bearing when you experience signs that it is beginning to fail, such as unusual noises, difficulty shifting, or a stiffening of the clutch pedal. This can happen at any point in the car’s life, so act quickly on signs of potential failure to avoid getting stranded on the road.

Can you replace just the throw-out bearing?

It’s certainly possible to replace only the release bearing, but keep in mind that this part is located in a difficult-to-access area of the vehicle where the clutch can also be found. Accessing this area is time-consuming, so it makes sense to replace the bearing and clutch at the same time to save on high labor costs.

Knowing what to watch for while driving your manual transmission vehicle can save you a headache in the long run. Taking your car in for maintenance when you hear unusual noises or experience difficulty shifting gears can mean the difference between reliable transportation and an undrivable vehicle.

Common Symptoms of a Bad Throw-Out Bearing

Your car is made up of many complex systems of interworking parts and networks of components that all must be functioning properly for optimal performance results. Though a throw-out bearing seems insignificant and small, it plays a critical role in your car’s functioning. In this article we’ll go over the importance of a throw-out bearing, symptoms associated with failure, and what you can do to prevent issues from occurring.

What is the Throw-Out Bearing?

The throw-out bearing plays an important role in your car’s clutch functioning. As you press down the clutch, the throw-out bearing engages with the various parts of the transmission through a series of chain reactions that create a perfectly synced dance routine of sorts. The flywheel, the pressure plate, the clutch plate, and the throw-out bearing are the major components of the transmission that interact with the gear systems and crankshaft, affecting both the engine functioning and wheel functioning. When pressing down the clutch, the throw-out bearing ultimately controls the amount of contact between the clutch plate and flywheel.

Common Symptoms Associated with Throw-Out Bearing Wear

It is important to be aware of how a bad throw-out bearing can affect your car’s performance so that you can follow through with maintenance and repair procedures immediately. The longer the throw-out bearing remains non-functional, the more serious the symptoms get—and therefore, the more expensive! These are some of the most common symptoms associated with throw-out bearing wear:

Odd noises when engaging the clutch pedal

It is typical for drivers to hear a grinding or rattling sound when pressing down on the clutch pedal if the throw-out bearing is bad. These noises are concerning, but they could point toward other issues with your transmission or clutch, so a differential diagnosis is in order.

Clutch pedal feel is compromised

As the issue progresses, the bad throw-out bearing can cause your car’s clutch pedal to become stiff feeling as you press down on it. This should be a red flag for any driver, and should be addressed right away.

Gear shifting issues

Any transmission issue inevitably leads to issues shifting gears. If the clutch pedal won’t engage fully or is difficult to press down, it can lead to gear shifting difficulty, which renders the car useless until the issue is fixed.

Clutch failure

Finally, a bad throw-out bearing can lead to total clutch failure. This is an expensive issue to fix, so it’s important to address signs of throw-out bearing wear early on, before the problem worsens.

How to Prevent Premature Throw-Out Bearing Wear

Though throw-out bearing failure is more common in some cars over others, every automobile is vulnerable to throw-out bearing wear over time. Here’s what you can to do make sure you don’t encounter the more severe effects of a bad throw-out bearing:

Adjust driving habits

One of the easiest ways to prolong throw-out bearing wear is to adjust the way you engage the clutch pedal in your car. It is best to engage the clutch for the shortest period of time possible; in other words, put your car in neutral when you come to a stop—don’t keep your foot pressed down on the clutch.

Follow up on routine maintenance procedures

Following your specific car’s routine maintenance schedule set forth by its manufacturer is the best way to ensure that your transmission and clutch are well-serviced at all times, ultimately prolonging your car’s life. Routine clutch replacement should include replacement of the throw-out bearing, so when it’s time for your car’s clutch to be replaced, make sure the automotive technicians perform a thorough job using OEM parts.

Ongoing inspections

Throw-out bearing failure can be detected early on through ongoing inspections; the idea is that the more frequently your automotive tech can get a look at your car, the better informed they are on the progression of the aging process your car is going through. This can help them anticipate clutch or transmission issues, such as throw-out bearing failure before the damaging effects occur.

Hiring an Automotive Specialist is Critical

Throw-out bearing issues can be difficult to detect; as a part of the clutch and transmission system, any number of parts could be the culprit of the sinister symptoms, and the part can be difficult to access for inspection. Here at , serving Spring and Houston, TX, we pride ourselves on our ability to detect even the most difficult issues. As Houston’s leading European auto specialists, our clients’ safety and satisfaction is of the utmost importance, and we never cut corners. To schedule an inspection or to learn more about our qualifications, please contact us right away or request an appointment through our website.