Throwout bearing question

35 coupe

35 coupe

Senior Member
Should a throwout bearing be in contact with the pressure plate fingers at all times or should there be and air gap between them when the clutch pedal is all the ways out. this is on a 50 f1.
 
The air gap translates through the linkage to the clutch pedal free play specification. Push down pedal, and the easy movement before there is much resistance is the free play in the adjustment directions.
 
They are not in contact all the time however obviously when no clutching going on there is no pressure on it so contact is minimal to none). Also it is designed so the hub which makes contact with the fingers is designed to spin freely on roller bearings from the inner race sitting on the trans shaft it slides on. Not sure this helps or answers. Why are you asking do you have an issue?
 
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The throwout bearing should only be in contact with the clutch fork fingers when the clutch is depressed.
Yes, there should be a gap.
 
If clutch linkage is adjusted to keep throwout bearing in continuous contact, you have two problems. First, the bearing will wear out from continuous spinning, second with no free play at pedal there is no way of telling whether fingers on pressure plate are partially depressed, leading to slipping and wear of the clutch parts. Your owner's manual and the bulletins will have your spec for freeplay, which will need adjustment over the lifetime of the clutch.
 
35 coupe said:
Should a throwout bearing be in contact with the pressure plate fingers at all times or should there be and air gap between them when the clutch pedal is all the ways out. this is on a 50 f1.
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There should always be a gap when released, and is generally about .100". This will result in the familiar pedal free play spec of around 1"-1 1/2" because of the common 10-12:1 overall clutch release ratio.
 
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oldford2 said:
Is there a right and wrong way for the T O bearing to face? Thanks
John
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The bearing has to be against the pressure plate forks/splines. Yes there is only one way for that to occur:). Think you may be asking which way the bearing mounts on the bearing hub? The first photo is the front side (against the pressure plate). The second two photos are the back side (against the hub). Should be fairly clear which side you want contacting the pressure plate as there is some slippage until the bearing is spinning and up to speed. You want the hardened surface where this slippage will occur.
 

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Really no issues, I know which way the bearing goes, setting up a new clutch and pressure plate done by Fort wayne clutch and I put a new throwout bearing in there, just seems I have very little play on top. Truck is on jack stands and I can feel when the bearing engages the pressure plate fingers, but there is not much free play. Maybe just used to a worn out clutch for to long. THANKS
 
I have it adjusted to when I push the clutch pedal all the way it, I can turn the drive shaft by hand in neutral, but it feels like there is a little clutch plate drag on it. Maybe it needs to wear in a little.
 
Adjust by the book, not that way! Adjust linkage so that when you push pedal down by hand for about an inch (spec is in the book) it moves with only light spring resistance, then hits serious resistance meaning it has contacted the pressure plate.
Book...get the owner's manual and the service bulletins, both necessary and easily available through all the parts dealers. With no tech info, you will keep on barking up the wrong tree!
 
You need to adjust the linkage so you have about 1" free play,
some guys like a little less some a little more (3/4"-1 1/2")

Bob
 
35 coupe said:
I have it adjusted to when I push the clutch pedal all the way it, I can turn the drive shaft by hand in neutral, but it feels like there is a little clutch plate drag on it. Maybe it needs to wear in a little.
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Bruce L. and Bob C have it right. In addition to that, the ability to turn the driveshaft with the transmission in NEUTRAL proves nothing, as when in neutral, neither the input shaft, nor the disc is turning. DD
 
I adjusted like the book said with an 1-11/2" play on top, just feels really close to pressure plate fingers, and if the pedal is not pushed in, I can't turn the driveshaft.
 
If you say the bearing was bad and you put another one in and have same problem most likely trans bearing.
Also just asking are you adjusting with the floor up, floor must be down.
If in gear the only thing that turns is throw-out bearing when down, let up clutch in neutral and see if different noise.
 
If the floor board is removed is the clutch pedal still resting on it's rubber bumper, or is the bumper part of the floor board?
Is the clutch pedal return spring in place and working, taking the pedal all the way to the bumper?
 
After posting its a 51 pu not a 35 ford so floor board is not a problem.
I have a 53 pu and the pressure plate has screws if not the pedal has to go farther could be a problem with linkage.
 
The pressure plate was rebuilt by fort wayne clutch, I don't know yet if there is a problem, just seems different than what was in there originally. I changed it all over the winter, my throwout bearing was shot, when I let the clutch out in neutral it was real noisy, so it must have been in contact with the pressure plate fingers all the time.
 
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