- Stiff or Stuck Clutch. For a throw out bearing to work smoothly, it needs to retain its lubrication properties for as long as possible.
- Difficult Shifting Gears. If you find that it is difficult to shift gears in your manual transmission vehicle, then it could be due to a bad throw out bearing.
- Strange Sounds. A clutch release bearing has rollers which cannot have too much space in between them. ...
- Vibrating Clutch Pedal. If you press down on the clutch pedal and feel vibrations going into your foot, this is likely due to a bad clutch release bearing.
- Noise When Depressing the Clutch. ...
- Clutch Pedal Vibrations. ...
- Problems Shifting Gears. ...
- Too Stiff of a Clutch. ...
- Grinding While Shifting Gears (Even Though the Clutch Is Depressed)
How to tell if your throwout bearing is failing?
And this is another good sign telling that your throw-out bearing is failing. The reason behind vibration is the poor alignment of the throwout bearing with the pressure plate. The vibration remains noticeable and signifies that the bearing has started wearing out.
How do I Stop my throw out bearing from wearing out?
Reduce the clutch depression time – The throw-out bearing may be wearing out because you are too hard on the clutch pedal. When you must come to a stop, put the car in neutral instead of pressing down on the clutch. The longer the clutch pedal is depressed, the more pressure is placed on the throw-out bearing.
How do I know if my clutch release bearing is bad?
You will likely hear these sounds the most when you press down on the clutch pedal, but you may still hear them with the clutch fully engaged. If you press down on the clutch pedal and feel vibrations going into your foot, this is likely due to a bad clutch release bearing.
What happens when a bearing gets worn out?
But if the bearing gets worn out, then it will have more clearances in this area. This will cause the bearing to rattle around more and start making lots of strange sounds. The types of sounds you will hear are growling sounds, rattling sounds, and maybe even squealing or whirring sounds. All these noises can be pinpointed to the transmission area.
How do you test a throwout bearing?
The most common sign of a bad throw-out bearing is when you hear various noises when you depress the clutch pedal. The rollers within the bearing have a tight tolerance and are supposed to be close together. But if there is too much space between the rollers, then different types of noises will start to be heard.
Can you drive with a bad throw-out bearing?
It is most likely that you can drive with a bad throw-out bearing for a long time, but in some cases, only for a short time. However, it would be best if you keep your car's throwout bearing and other components under perfect working conditions.
What makes a throw-out bearing go bad?
Normal Wear and Tear 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.
How much does it cost to fix a throwout bearing?
The average throw-out bearing replacement cost ranges between $400 and $1500, with almost all of that cost being labor. That's because an aftermarket throw-out bearing only typically only costs between $10 and $30.
Does throw out bearing spin all the time?
Its outer surface is always spinning, whether the clutch is engaged or disengaged. It is self-adjusting, meaning that the spring between the bearing and base puts tension on the bearing, keeping it in contact with the pressure plate. This accommodates for clutch wear.
How do you fix a throwout bearing?
0:001:40Throw out bearing fix - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what you have to do with it is you take that ear and you grind it off a little bit. And then onceMoreSo what you have to do with it is you take that ear and you grind it off a little bit. And then once you have the grinded off one on there let's grind it off side on it.
What noise does a bad pilot bearing make?
Diagnosing a Faulty Pilot Bearing A worn or damaged pilot bearing will make a whining or grinding noise. It will be very loud if the bearing is completely damaged. It occurs whenever the crankshaft and input shaft are rotating at different speeds.
What noise does a clutch release bearing make?
The clutch release or throwout bearing contains a collared bearing that spins along with the spinning pressure plate as the clutch pedal is depressed. A worn release bearing makes a squealing or growling sound heard from the transmissions clutch housing when the clutch pedal is depressed.
Why does my throwout bearing fail?
However, throw-out bearing failure can also be due to damage sustained because of an accident that affects the throwout bearing or the clutch assembly area. Also, driving habit is yet another factor determining the lifespan of your vehicle’s components and the car itself.
How much does a throw out bearing cost?
A throw-out bearing is relatively cheap compared to some other components of a vehicle. It costs between $30 and $100 depending on the vehicle’s make or model. While, the cutch costs between $300 and $800, and the price of a new flywheel is about $50 to $200.
How durable is a throwout bearing?
While the throwout bearing is an incredibly durable component of the clutch assembly, it is used heavily and the clutch gets exposed to pressure and friction. However, your driving habit is a factor to consider in determining how long your vehicle’s throwout bearing would last.
What causes hard shifting in a car?
A bad throwout bearing can cause hard shifting in the process of changing gears in your vehicle. The throwout bearing is a significant component in the clutch assembly that works in tandem when the clutch pedal is depressed in the process of gear shifting.
What happens if clutch release bearing fails?
Clutch release bearing failure causes a lot of damages. If you notice while driving that you are experiencing difficulty in shifting or grinding gears, it is a sign that your car’s throwout bearing is bad. There are other bad throwout-bearing symptoms, and they are unveiled in the subsequent paragraphs in this article.
What does it mean when a clutch pedal squeaks?
Regular odd noise or throw-out bearing squeak is one of the primary symptoms of a bad throw-out bearing. This odd sound is usually produced when you press down the clutch pedal, and the noise ceases once you take your foot off the pedal. The sound is similar to a rattling noise or a grinding noise.
How long does a clutch release bearing last?
However, a noisy clutch release bearing can last for 5 years or just 5 minutes. It depends on your attitude toward responding to a problem in your vehicle. Once you notice a noise from your vehicle’s clutch release bearing, it is ideal for you to see an auto mechanic and get it fixed as soon as possible.
What happens if you have a bad throwout bearing?
Symptoms of a Bad Throwout Bearing That You Shouldn’t Ignore. A bad throwout bearing can ruin your car's clutch mechanism, bringing it to a complete halt. We shall find out how to diagnose a bad throwout bearing through its symptoms. A bad throwout bearing can ruin your car’s clutch mechanism, bringing it to a complete halt.
What does it mean when a throwout bearing is bad?
A bad throwout bearing makes a vibrating noise, which can be easily identified. If you find that your car is making such a noise, then it is a clear sign that the throwout bearing is at fault, and you should immediately get it replaced.
What causes the clutch plate to pull away from the flywheel?
As the center of the diaphragm spring gets pushed in, a series of pins along the circumference of the spring causes it to pull the pressure plate away from the clutch disc. This separates the clutch plate from the flywheel, thus interrupting the transmission of power. When the driver releases the clutch pedal, the hydraulic system is deactivated, ...
How does a throwout bearing work?
As we saw in the above section, the throwout bearing works by applying pressure on the diaphragm spring to disconnect the engine from the gear mechanism, when the clutch pedal is depressed. Clearly, therefore, the symptoms of a bad throwout bearing would be observable when the clutch pedal is operated.
How to extend the life of a throwout bearing?
You can extend the life of your car’s throwout bearing by minimizing the time duration during which you have the clutch pedal depressed. For instance, when you halt at the red light, instead of resting your foot on the clutch pedal, bring the car to neutral and release the clutch pedal. One of the most important engineering design principles is ...
Can you replace a throwout bearing with a new one?
Once the throwout bearing is replaced with a new one, you will be required to put the entire assembly back together again, which might be too cumbersome and time-consuming for most. Therefore, a better option would be to get it done professionally.
Why does a throw out bearing go bad?
After years of wear, the bearing can become run down. Other times, the bearing goes bad due to an accident that damaged some or all of the clutch system. When it is about to go bad, there are signs.
What is a throw out bearing?
The throw-out bearing is a very important part of the clutch system in manual transmissions.
What does it mean when your clutch pedal is depressed?
You may also hear it in neutral and when clutch is released. Several things can cause this to happen. When the throw-out bearing is going bad, you will hear different noises when the clutch pedal is depressed, such as a grinding, rattling, or screeching. When you remove your foot from the clutch, the sounds stop.
Why is my clutch bearing going bad?
When the bearing goes bad, you won’t be able to use the clutch. Here are some common causes of the throw-out bearing going bad: Excessive work on the clutch pedal – Every time you press your clutch pedal, it places work on the throw-out bearing.
Why does my clutch pedal make a noise?
One cause of the noises could be that the lubricant has dried out. Vibrations in the clutch pedal – When the clutch pedal is depressed, the movement should be smooth and quiet. When the throw-out bearing has a problem, you will feel vibration when you press the clutch pedal.
Why is my clutch not engaging?
If the gears are grinding or difficult to shift, it is possible that the throw-out bearing has worn out . When this happens, the clutch is no longer fully engaging. This symptom comes after the strange noises and possibly after the CEL has been activated, after the problem has grown worse.
How to prolong clutch life?
The longer the clutch pedal is depressed, the more pressure is placed on the throw-out bearing. Try reducing the amount of time that you have the pedal depressed. Changing your driving habits could prolong the life of the throw-out bearing as well as other parts of the clutch system.
How does a throw out bearing work?
For a throw out bearing to work smoothly, it needs to retain its lubrication properties for as long as possible . As the bearing ages, the grease inside will age with it , allowing more heat from metal on metal contact inside the bearing. This wears out the bearing over time.
How much does it cost to replace a throw out bearing?
The replacement cost of a throw out bearing will not be cheap. For just the average economy car, you can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $1,200 for replacing the throw out bearing in it. This average parts cost will be anywhere from $90 to $500 and the labor costs will be from $350 to $700. You might notice the labor costs are more expensive ...
Why does my clutch pedal vibrate?
The reason these vibrations form is that the bearing cannot connect to the pressure plate evenly, or there is wear inside the bearing itself that is causing it to vibrate with age.
What causes a clutch release bearing to rattle?
But if the bearing gets worn out, then it will have more clearances in this area. This will cause the bearing to rattle around more and start making lots of strange sounds.
Why is it so hard to shift gears in a manual transmission?
If you find that it is difficult to shift gears in your manual transmission vehicle, then it could be due to a bad throw out bearing. This symptom is often observed in later stages of the previous symptom where you have a stuck clutch.
What are the sounds that come from the clutch pedal?
The types of sounds you will hear are growling sounds, rattling sounds, and maybe even squealing or whirring sounds. All these noises can be pinpointed to the transmission area. You will likely hear these sounds the most when you press down on the clutch pedal, but you may still hear them with the clutch fully engaged.
What happens if a car throws out a bearing?
If your car has a bad throw-out bearing, the car engine may come to a complete halt or cause problems with gear shifting, or even damage the parts of the clutch system or the transmission system. In this article, we will tell you how a throw-out bearing works, what are the symptoms that indicate your car has a bad throw-out bearing ...
Why does my throw out bearing make a noise?
The one reason could be that the throw out bearing is able to make contact with the pressure plate. Because it is not designed to do so , and when there contact is built up between these two components, you hear throw-out bearing noises. There are two things you can do to fix this noise issue.
How long does a clutch bearing last?
How Long Will a Noisy Clutch Release Bearing Last. Generally, the clutch can last for 40,000 to 1,10,000 miles depending on the model and the brand.
Is it important to have a throw out bearing?
Now, it is quite clear how important it is to have a good working throw out bearing. Although it may seem like there’s not anything serious while getting your car in and out of gear, a lot is happening under the car each time you depress the clutch pedal.
Can a throw out bearing go bad?
The bearing may go bad over the years of use or it may get damaged prematurely in an accident. Whatever is the case, then throw out bearing will need immediate replacement. However, it is difficult to keep a check on the internal parts functioning inside the vehicle especially in the case of the clutch release bearing, ...
How to minimize throwout bearing?
One of the ways you can minimize the throwout bearing chance of happening is to change your driving habits. It is clear that manual transmission cars are less common than they were before. This is due to the taken over of modern automatic transmissions vehicles. For that reason, many drivers develop bad driving habits.
What is a throwout bearing?
The throwout bearing is a part of the manual transmission where you make use of a clutch pedal. Whenever you need to halt your car for a few seconds or change the gears, the clutch pedal allows you to do that. It takes responsibility for many car components, which work together to smoothen the shifting of the gear.
Why shift gears to neutral?
Car owners can shift the gear to neutral in order to release the foot off the clutch pedal instead of keeping the clutch depressed. By doing it, not only you can help the throwout bearing, you can also release the tension applying on your foot. And only engage the pedal again when you want to move the vehicle.
Why does my pedal feel vibration?
The reason behind vibration is the poor alignment of the throwout bearing with the pressure plate.
Why is it so hard to change gears?
However, if any part of the clutch is having problems, it will be difficult to change the gears. So if car owners find it hard when changing gears even though they are much smoother before, this might be a sign telling that you are having a faulty throw-out bearing.
What is the role of bearings in a transmission?
The bearing has a role of making gear shifting seamless and smooth. In order to perform such a task, it helps disengage the transmission from the engine of the automobile. Along with that, the bearing ultimately controls the contact between the clutch plate and flywheel.
What does it mean when your brakes are worn out?
The vibration remains noticeable and signifies that the bearing has started wearing out. Drivers can feel the pulsations from their feet, and the vibration is the same with what brake pedals feel when you have worn-out brake pads.
How to tell if a throwout bearing is bad?
This is one of the most common symptoms of a bad throwout bearing. If you depress the clutch and hear a strange grinding-like noise from the interior of your car, it might there’s something wrong with the throwout bearing. The noise could be sharp and rattling sometimes.
What happens when a throwout bearing is faulty?
Throwout bearing plays an important part in depressing the clutch, and a fault in its function can result in many problems, including failure of engine transmission rendering to halt of functioning.
What happens when gears are depressed?
You need to be aware of when your gear system is going towards misfunction and what actions can result in faults in the systems. The throwout bearing is affected If the gear pedal is depressed for a long amount of time. Resting foot on the pedal for longer periods can also result in the same dilemma.
Why does my clutch pedal vibrate?
In fact, vibrations occur when bearing cannot push right against the pressure plate to help disengage while gear shifting.
What is a throwout bearing?
Throwout Bearings. Throwout bearings are an important part of car transmission, and they disconnect the engine while the gear is being changed. They are a vital part of a car’s functioning, and without them, it would not be possible to change gears. Throwout bearing works in collaboration with flywheel, clutch plate, and the gearbox.
How to avoid faults in gearing system?
A good way to avoid faults in the gearing system is to reduce the clutch depressing times. The more you keep clutch in the depressed position, the more pressure it faces, and more chances of it to misfunction arise.
Where is the throwout bearing located?
Now, if you are already facing the problem, you have to deal with it. The throwout bearing is located deep inside the gearing system , so replacing it will require extensive labor and skill.

What Is The Throwout Bearing?
Bad Throwout Bearing Symptoms
- Every component of a machine deteriorates and wears out with consistent use over a while. It is the same for the throwout bearing of your vehicle. This is a drawback when you consider manual vs. automatictransmission. The symptoms of a bad throwout bearing switches dimensions depending on your driving situation, and the symptoms may also change dimensions with differ…
FAQs
- Q: What causes throw-out bearing failure?
Throw out bearing failure is primarily a result of wear and tear after using your vehicle over a long period. Therefore, there is a predetermined lifespan for every component of your car. However, throw-out bearing failure can also be due to damage sustained because of an accident that affe… - Q: Can a throw-out bearing cause hard shifting?
A bad throwout bearing can cause hard shifting in the process of changing gears in your vehicle. The throwout bearing is a significant component in the clutch assembly that works in tandem when the clutch pedal is depressed in the process of gear shifting. Under normal working conditi…
Final Words
- Having read this article, you now know the bad throwout-bearing symptoms that can easily be identified. When you discover any other signs discussed above in your vehicle, kindly consult a professional auto mechanic to fix the problem before it escalates. If you ask, “how long can you drive with a bad throw-out bearing?” the answer is not farfetched from the information this articl…