If it is a throw out bearing how long does it take to break and what happens when it does?

Question

I have a 1987 Toyota Corolla.

Answer 1

They usually last a long, long time depending on how much you keep the clutch pushed in (leave it out with the transmission in neutral when your not moving for longer life). They don't usually break. Instead, they wear out and make noise like a squeal, ringing, or light grinding noise when you push on the clutch pedal. If it does go bad, the transmission will have to come out in which case the clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate should be checked also.

Answer 2

Throw out Bearings are Bearings - they go out when they loose their seal and grease and begin to overheat; therefore heat plays a factor, along with how much you use the clutch. The noise "Normally" gets louder when they go out -- but I have seen them stop making noise all together before they finally go. Basically the bearing locks up completely and then it begins to wear on the pressure plate fingers.

In some RARE cases the bearing can come apart, in those rare cases that leaves the clutch fork open to be pushed into the clutch fingers -- just imagine trying to shove a pitch fork into the fan of your car (needless to say do not try that) -- I have seen this break the bell housing at the clutch fork, which happens to be near the drivers legs (in rear wheel drives) --- in any case you are talking about turning a couple hundred dollar job into a few thousand real fast.

Also the longer this goes on (if this is the same thing as the hard shifting problem (posted before)) this also means you are 'dragging' on the flywheel - if you do that too much you will have to replace that from heat buildup on the flywheel face (unable to machine it back out).

it may last a couple of years - then again it could go tomorrow.

Answer 3

keith is right, if its making noise you'll hear it when you lift your foot, clutch engages, you get the whole clutch done, doesn't make sence to just replace the bearing. Do it ASAP



http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.toyota/browse_thread/thread/4297738ad276c5cd/da18a81ac6169ce5%23da18a81ac6169ce5

In the link see rick jones reply, he sounds like a dealership mechanic and 6.5 hours to do the job sounds about right, if you add breaks and lunch, ha ha just kidding, the reason why the time to do the job is so long is they have to pull the engine out I think. I wouldn't spend that much on an 87. I would find a good mechanic but not at a dealership and you might save half the dealership cost. Its not too hard a job for a good mechanic. Good luck.

Answer 4

You can lose your clutch when it comes apart,it will break off in the clutch and maybe but doubtful break the disk and clutch springs
You will also be stuck in the gear your in while driving,unless you know how to shift without a clutch,but still you won't have first gear to stop or start with

If it's making noise it could go anytime,the next time you drive it or months from now

Also if it is froze to the shaft it could damage the shaft and than you may have to replace your tranny

Answer 5

It will develop a squeeling and/or a grinding noise which will vary when you push the pedal in and let it out. Once the noise gets louder the bearing will fail and you will have no clutch. the bearing can ruin the throw out arm and the pressure plate if continued to be used. Plus it can leave you stranded in a dangerous place, fix it soon. Once it starts making noises it could go out anytime.

Answer 6

well once the throwout bearing goes bad the knee knucle joint will stat to rattle, once you hear a rattling the exhaust bearing will rust over and no longer work. when your exhaust bearigns are shot you have approximately 3 days before your car shuts down completely, now the good thing is that you have 3 days but unlimited mileage, but of course when your hydrostatic denatured vandegraph generator starts to make noise, you wil have only 3 days or 300 miles whichever comes first

Answer 7

there,s no certain time limit on a throe-out bearing,,it could go out the next time you drive it,,the warning it is giving you is either a squeaking noise or a chatter,,when it does go,,it,s gonna take out the arm that it mount,s in,,and may even damage the input shaft of the trans itself,,there really unpredictable,,as far as how long you can go on it,,no one can really say,,but one thing is for sure,,where ever your at when it goes out,,your not gonna make it back,,hope you fix it soon,,be care full,,this can be dangerous to drive,,hope this help,s.

Answer 8

they can sqeal and grind for some time but when they completely fail you'll be looking at a complete clutch job

Answer 9

I thought tey were "muffler Bearings....