Throwout bearing pin fell out? (anti rotation pin?)

[saki302]

Hello,

While servicing my transmission (removed to take care of 2 minor leaks), I noticed a pin fell out of my throwout bearing. I assume it's there to keep it from spinning?


Is this a critical part? I tried turning it, but it's pretty solidly fixed in place- I didn't push or pull the clutch arm though.


Should I try and reinstall the pin, replace with a roll pin, or just leave it alone? I assume it was running like this for a long time.


I did find the pin inside the bellhousing on the bottom- it's a solid pin, not a roll pin, which is why it probably fell out.



Thanks!


-Dave

[hauss]

Not sure but, I would just replace the bearing just to be safe.

[DanEC]

Hauss has the best answer. TO bearings are one of those things that I replace every time I have a transmission out just because. Nothing worse than having to pull a transmission just to fix a squealing TO bearing.

[saki302]

I was able to just pull the clutch fork off- first time messing with this stuff, so I was surprised how quickly and easily it comes off. Had to tap the bearing off to remove each piece separately (bellhousing still on).

Turns out the fork has some weird wear on it where it contacts the bearing.
I'm going to go ahead and replace both. Cheap insurance I figure!

Just for giggles I tapped the pin back into the bearing. Seems to work but I wouldn't trust it now.

[Gaz64]

I think you need to pull that release fork off.
That anti-rotation spring clip is broken.

Gary

[DanEC]

Was the bearing installed on the fork correctly. I mostly have in my mind GM clutches and don't remember my FE clutch as well but typically both the steel fingers and the spring fingers of the fork ride inside the groove on the bearing. It's not uncommon that someone will install the bearing incorrectly with the fingers on either side of the front bearing flange - the heavier side. When that happens clutch adjustment is difficult to achieve but if they manage and drive it this way - I have seen several photos of strange wear and damage to the TO bearing flange from being installed incorrectly this way.

[saki302]

The bearing and fork looked correct from the rear (looking into the bellhousing from the trans hole), but when I removed it, the fork had weird wear at the front Bottom where it contacts the bearing- almost ground through.

Everything else looks fine, so I'll replace both parts. It's a made in china piece, so the metal may be soft?

Throwout bearing seems okay, but I ordered another just to be sure.
I have no idea how long the anti rotation pin was out. I hammered it back in with a punch for giggles, and it still seems to fit fine.

[saki302]

Just out of curiosity, is there any preference for a Hays throwout bearing vs a Ram? Or are all of them ok?

I picked up a summit branded shift fork, and it's quite nice. Better than the old one which clearly says China on it ��

I'm amazed how much smoother the thing is now, I bet the overall clutch feel is much smoother and softer than before.

[DanEC]

I like the McLeod TO bearings and clutch products personally. I would go with a Ram over a Hays - only because Hays sold me a warped flywheel once.

[saki302]

Haha, thanks. Ram is cheaper too.

[saki302]

New vs old setup.

New one is a summit clutch fork (much beefier), and ram throwout bearing.

New setup moves much more freely, just flops around 🤣
I'm betting my clutch effort just went down by half...