Operation of the clutch release bearing. Clutch release bearing: signs of failure. How to replace a clutch release bearing

Today, the most common clutch systems are with two discs - a master, rigidly coupled to and a driven one, which transmits torque to the gearbox. To shift gears or transfer the car to, the clutch discs must be disengaged, which is carried out using a release bearing that pulls the driven disc away from the drive one.

Release bearing location

This is an important element of the clutch system, and at the same time one of the most vulnerable parts. Clutch release bearing during the movement of the car is at rest, being included in the work only when shifting gears. The breakdown of such a small spare part guarantees the impossibility of further operation of the car, so you need to change the bearing immediately when obvious signs its faults.

The part costs from 300 to 1500 or more rubles, depending on the manufacturer and model of the car. Replacing a bearing at a service station will cost 3,000-7,000 rubles, so if you have the desire, opportunity and a normal set of auto tools, it makes sense to do it yourself and save a lot.

Types of release bearings

Two types of release bearings are now common:

  • roller or ball- mechanical units that transmit force to the bearing through a rigid linkage of rods;
  • hydraulic- here the force is created by hydraulics, due to which the clutch pedal is squeezed out much easier.

Hydraulic release bearing

Roller release bearing


The mechanical clutch release bearing can be called a detail from the past, because Moskvich, VAZ and other old cars were equipped with it. On new machines, even budget ones, they are mainly used hydraulic systems. Although a number of domestically produced cars are still equipped with mechanics, in order to reduce the cost and simplify.

Operating principle

The task of the release bearing is to ensure that the clutch is connected and disconnected when the pedal is pressed in the car. The principle of operation of the part is quite simple:

  • the driven disk is pressed against the flywheel by the pressure disk, due to which the clutch is provided;
  • pressure on the pressure plate is provided by a diaphragm spring, on the inner petals of which the clutch release bearing acts;
  • the movement of the bearing, which initiates the separation of the discs, is provided by the clutch fork.

Release bearing in the clutch system of a car

Causes and signs of failure of the release bearing

The reason for the failure of this part is uneven loads on it at the moment when the clutch is squeezed out, and it goes back along with the driven disk. For this reason, holding the clutch pedal for a long time while in gear is strictly not recommended. In principle, this is a reliable and durable part, and it most often breaks down for novice motorists.

The main symptoms of bearing wear are when depressing the clutch pedal. If the sound appeared in the summer, this is almost a guarantee of future problems, but if it came along with frost, there may be an elementary change in the linear dimensions of the bearing cup due to a drop in temperature outside. The release bearing in most cars has an undeniable advantage - high strength, so even when noise appears, you can afford to do nothing for a while, but to see if it gets worse.

How to check the release bearing

The clutch release bearing is checked by ear when the pedal is depressed, when it is in operation (rotates). Depending on the stage and nature of wear (a small amount of lubrication or wear has begun), the sound will be different, it can either just buzz or make noise or make other unpleasant sounds in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe box. But do not confuse these sounds with those that can occur when the clutch pedal is not even depressed, since such a sign will indicate the input shaft bearing.

Replacing the clutch release bearing

If the bearing still needs to be changed, you will have to perform the following sequence of actions:

  • dismantling of the gearbox;
  • disconnection from the coupling of the ends of the spring retainer;
  • removal from the guide sleeve of the bearing;
  • detachment of the spring holder;
  • removing the bearing from the coupling and installing a new part.

The new bearing should rotate as easily as possible, even minimal stretches and backlashes are unacceptable.

Before installing the part on the guide bush, their surfaces must be generously lubricated with grease.

In conclusion, it should be noted that release bearings can serve up to 150,000 kilometers, but often they have to be changed every 50,000 km due to driver errors and bad roads that destroy the entire car, including the clutch.

The clutch of VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars in the on state (with the pedal released) should not “slip”, transmit torque from the engine to the transmission without loss. If you press the clutch pedal, it should completely disengage the transmission from the engine. Clutch engagement when starting off and shifting gears should be smooth without jerking or twitching.

The clutch of VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars is quite reliable. During operation, it does not create any special problems. Its maintenance is reduced to periodic checks and adjustments. cable drive(once every 15,000 km), replacement of the driven disk and release bearing (on a run of about 100,000 km). Of course, the driving style and heavy operating modes of the car can reduce these terms at times. A clutch malfunction on VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars can be judged by clearly tangible signs. Consider the main malfunctions of the clutch of VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars, their signs and causes.

Clutch "leads"

The driver disengages the clutch by pressing the pedal to switch gears on and off. In this case, the pressure bearing acts on the petals of the damper (pressure) spring of the clutch "basket". As a result, the leading (pressure) disk ceases to press the driven disk against the flywheel. The transmission of torque from the engine flywheel to the transmission input shaft is interrupted. In this case, the gears should turn on easily, clearly without difficulty. Otherwise (forward gears turn on with difficulty, rear with a crunch and crackle), the clutch does not completely turn off (“leads”), the driven disc remains slightly sandwiched between the pressure plate and the flywheel. The causes of this malfunction in most cases are:

— not adjusted drive;

- damage or jamming of the clutch cable;

- wear or breakage of the drive disk, etc.

For details, see "Clutch "leads", causes".


clutch disengagement

Clutch slips

When the pedal is released, the clutch will be engaged. That is, the pressure plate presses the driven one against the flywheel and the torque is transmitted from the flywheel to the gearbox input shaft. Clutch is always on Idling, in motion with the gear engaged, when coasting. If for some reason the drive disk does not fully press the driven disk to the flywheel, the clutch will slip ("slip"), the driven disk will slip relative to the flywheel. Torque transmission will be intermittent and insufficient. This is especially noticeable when driving uphill, when the driver presses on the "gas", the engine roars, picks up speed, but the car's acceleration is weak or with some delay. The reasons for this malfunction are as follows:

— Clutch drive not adjusted;

- wear or oiling of the driven disk;

- jamming of the drive cable, etc.


clutch of VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars included (scheme)

Jerks or shocks in the transmission when starting the car from a place

The main causes of car jerks when starting off, associated with the clutch, are:

- breakage of the clutch disc (heavy wear of the linings, loosening of their fastening, oiling of their surfaces, wear or breakage of damper springs or windows under them);

- burrs on the working surfaces of the flywheel or pressure plate;

- jamming of the clutch cable;

- jamming of the hub of the driven disk on the splines of the input shaft of the gearbox.

Noise when disengaging the clutch

If a soft noise or rustling is heard when you press the clutch pedal, the release bearing is most likely out of order or the end of its life is already close. It is advisable to immediately change the release lever, since when it is jammed, it will be very difficult to engage gears, while the wear of the petals of the clutch “basket” pressure spring at the point of contact with the bearing will be very fast. It is cheaper to immediately change the bearing than later both the bearing and the “basket”.

Noise when engaging the clutch

Noise in the gearbox area when the clutch pedal is released most often indicates wear or breakage of the driven disk (wear, deformation, loosening of its lining, breakage of damper springs) or weakening of the gearbox to the engine

Notes and additions

- In addition to a faulty clutch release bearing extraneous noise can emit the input shaft bearing in the gearbox. It can be heard at idle (clutch pedal not depressed).

- How to correctly and quickly adjust the clutch drive, see.

Everyone knows that the clutch system is one of the most important parts of the car, which means that you need to know how the clutch release bearing, which is part of it, works. This "thrust" element plays a huge role, it transfers the pressing force coming from the clutch fork to the basket spider and to the hub of the drive disk.

How a clutch release bearing works - process mechanics

In short, this element ensures that the disk is disengaged from the basket. In addition, its functions include shutdown, as well as. There are two types of such bearings: roller, which operates due to a rigid connection between the rods, and hydraulic, which creates force using a hydraulic system.

The clutch is necessary in order to smoothly disconnect the engine from the transmission during gear shifting, this helps to protect the transmission elements from unnecessary overloads, as well as damping vibrations. Scheme of work this mechanism next. A pressure plate connected to the housing presses the driven disc against the flywheel. Its hub is connected to the input shaft and can move along it. Inside the hub are damper springs that dampen torsional vibrations and ensure smooth engagement.

And in order to provide the necessary force, a diaphragm spring acts on the pressure plate, the inner diameter of which is made in the form of metal petals. It is these petals that are affected by the release bearing or, in other words, the clutch release bearing. It is located on the axis of rotation and acts as a transmission device between the drive and the clutch. Thanks to the clutch fork, the release clutch moves along with the bearing.



When does a release bearing fail?

The torque acts on the release bearing only when the clutch is depressed, at which time it goes back, as if taking the driven disk with it. Therefore, holding the clutch pedal for a long time in combination with the engaged gear leads to uneven loads on the part, which contributes to rapid wear. But at correct operation You don't have to worry about repairs for a long time.

As mentioned above, the clutch release bearing plays a huge role in the entire system, the symptoms of its wear are characteristic sounds (knocking) while depressing the clutch pedal with the engine running. However, if this sound is mainly amplified in the cold season, then most likely there is no cause for concern, since this part is made of high-strength steel with a small coefficient of linear expansion, while the glass in which all the bearing parts are located, on the contrary subject to temperature influences.

How is the clutch release bearing replaced?

Replacing the clutch release bearing is as follows. First, it is removed, then it is necessary to disengage the ends of the spring retainer from engagement with the coupling, and the bearing itself is removed from the guide sleeve. Next, you need to press the tabs of the spring holder and remove it. Now you can remove the bearing from the coupling on which it is located.

Be sure to carefully check it before installing a new part. The new bearing should rotate very easily, no jamming is allowed, as well as the presence of backlash.

When installing a new part on the coupling, make sure that the protruding part of its inner ring looks to the side. Fix it in this position with the holder. The guide bush is lubricated with grease, then the bearing is mounted on it. The clutch together with it is fixed with a spring retainer, and the gearbox is installed in place with the final chord.

The clutch release bearing is mechanical part car transmission, designed to separate the clutch disc from the basket. Simply put, it turns the clutch on and off.

The device and principle of operation of the release bearing

Such bearings come in two varieties: roller, which uses a fairly rigid connection between the rods, and hydraulic, which uses the force of the hydraulic clutch system.

Regardless of the make and model of the car, the clutch works the same way everywhere. It provides a smooth connection between the car engine and its transmission, to ensure the smooth running of the car when the gear is engaged and to exclude the possibility of early wear of the elements connecting the engine and transmission.

The clutch is a pressure plate that attaches to the housing and presses the driven plate against the flywheel. The disc hub is connected to the input shaft and has the ability to move freely along it. Damper springs are located on the hub housing, which play the role of vibration dampers and ensure a smooth ride.

To create the required pressing force, a spring with petals is used, on which the release bearing acts. It is the link between the drive and the clutch, since a fork with a lever is attached to it, at the end of which a cable or other lever is fixed leading to the clutch pedal.

Video - How to check the clutch release on a car

Signs of a failed release bearing

The transmission of torque to the release bearing is carried out only when the clutch pedal is depressed. He goes back and pulls the clutch disc behind him. That is why the clutch pedal should not be held too long in gear. This leads to the appearance of unstable loads on it, which leads the part to rapid wear.

A clear sign of wear on the release bearing is the appearance of various sounds when the clutch pedal is depressed in the form of rustles and knocks. However, do not worry if such sounds appear during the cold season. The fact is that this part has a small coefficient of expansion at low temperatures. This is due to the high strength of the steel from which the bearing is made. And the glass, in which the entire node is located, on the contrary, has a large coefficient of expansion. Therefore, when the engine warms up, the sound disappears.

In addition, there are a number of other signs, of which it is worth noting incorrect gear shifting. Some gears simply do not turn on, or turn on and, at the same time, pull the car, both at the start and while driving.

Video - Replacing the clutch release bearing VAZ 2109

Operating procedure

1. Drive the car into the pit, put on hand brake and install wheel chocks. Then remove the terminals from the battery and remove it so that it does not interfere with the work. Also, disconnect the wire connecting to the clutch housing ground.

2. Remove all bolts that secure the motor guard. Detach protection. Thus, you will create unhindered access from below to all nodes.

3. Turn off draft of a drive of a check point (scene). To do this, use a 13 key to unscrew the clamp bolt and spread it to the side. Then disconnect the drive from the gearbox.

4. Disconnect the sensor that turns on the lights " reversing» and disconnect the clutch cable.

5. Loosen the hub nuts and lift the front wheels. Remove the wheels and unscrew the hub nuts to the end. After that, open ball joints and turn the hubs in such a way that it becomes possible to dismantle the CV joints. Remove the clamps and anthers of the internal grenades and pull them out of the gearbox.

Attention! Before removing the CV joints, be sure to drain the oil from the gearbox!

6. Leave some kind of support under the engine so that after removing the box it does not collapse. After that, unscrew all the bolts that secure the gearbox to the engine, and unscrew the gearbox mounting bracket. It is recommended that only two people carry out this work, since the gearbox is quite heavy. Pull the box out of the engine very carefully: the input shaft should not touch the petals.

7. Remove the ends of the spring retainer with a screwdriver and pull out the clutch.

8. Pull the petals back and remove the old release bearing.

9. Install the new release bearing in reverse order. To do this, it is mounted on the coupling in such a way that the protruding component is directed towards the coupling.

10. Fix the new part with the clutch holder and lubricate engine oil the whole shaft.

After replacing the bearing, install the gearbox in reverse order, replace the CV joint, secure the ball bearings and tighten the hub nut. After that, install the wheels, tighten the wheel bolts and lower the car. After that, tighten them and the hub nuts. Do not forget to fill the oil back into the gearbox, it is best to replace it with a new one.

This completes the release bearing replacement process. Good luck on the roads!

The most common 2-disc clutch systems in use are the driven one, which helps to get torque to the gearbox, and the drive one, well attached to crankshaft. The transition from one gear to another in the car occurs due to the separation of the clutch discs, and this contributes to the release bearing, which separates the drive disc from the driven one. Its principle of operation is to apply pressure, which disengages the discs and stops the shaft without stopping the motor.

The clutch release bearing is an important component for any car. Directly on the move vehicle he is in a calm state, and when switching gears, he immediately joins the work of the system. In the event of failure of this small part, the car will no longer be operated, so the bearing should be replaced immediately at the first symptoms of a malfunction.

Types of clutch bearing

There are two types:

  • Ball (roller). They are presented in the form of mechanical units that transfer stress to the bearing using a rigid linkage.
  • Hydraulic. In this type, the force on it is created using hydraulics, which makes it easier to depress the clutch pedal.

The principle of operation of the bearing

The main mission of this component of the car is to ensure that the clutch is connected or disconnected while the pedal is pressed inside the cabin. The principle of operation is very easy:

  1. The driven element, thanks to the work of the pressure plate, is pressed against the flywheel. This process promotes adhesion.
  2. The diaphragm spring creates the necessary pressure flow on the pressure plate. A bearing acts on its inner petals.
  3. The clutch fork initiates the disengagement of the discs and the movement of the bearing.

Signs of a failed clutch release bearing

The first sign that this bearing needs to be replaced is the noise that occurs when you press the clutch pedal. It is very easy to determine whether he really became the culprit and the problem of breakdown. For this it is enough:

  1. Start the vehicle engine and listen carefully for the noise.
  2. Then you need to squeeze the clutch.
  3. When the noise does not stop or gets louder, the cause of the problem is the release bearing.

If the noise in the car has disappeared, then it is likely that the gearbox is the cause of the problem.

Causes of the malfunction

The failure of this component occurs due to uneven loads on it when the clutch is depressed, due to which it moves back along with the driven disk. The part fails, as a rule, for motorists with minimal driving experience - beginners.

Advice! Do not depress the clutch pedal when the gear is engaged.

The main sign of bearing wear is a slight knock that occurs when the clutch pedal is depressed. Hearing a similar sound in the summer indicates a stream of problems, and in winter period- indicates that there may be an ordinary modification of the linear standards of the bearing cup through a decrease in the level of air temperature.

The part has excellent qualities and high strength, which makes it possible, even at the first sign of a knock, not to immediately rush and stand for repairs, but even watch its increase. But you should not get carried away with such a process, because due to malfunctions of this element, the discs are skewed and their wear is accelerated. Untimely repairs can lead to the complete destruction of the discs and high costs for repairing the gearbox.

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