Clutch release bearing.

[Gingerbread Man]

I believe mine to be making sounds which lead believe it will soon die. I hear a whine when the clutch pedal is pressed down. It's a 1999 wet sump K series Caterham.

Here's a picture that I took of the clutch cover plate when it was last out. I'm a little confused about which clutch release bearing that I will be needing to buy.
Caterham part no.:AB57U manufactured by SKF (stocked by Caterham). I have also heard of a AB57 manufactured by INA (which I believe was the original, and the SKF came about later as a chosen replacement!? I have also read that it is a standard Ford Focus CRB, not which model etc, I don't quite know).

So if I order the only CRB stocked by Caterham, the SKF bearing, will that fit fine? I can't find a picture of each version to jog any memories to which one I have fitted in the past. I believe it had a radius face to it, I think. I hear the other is flatter.




I've also heard that premature wear is caused by the preload not being correctly setup? Does anyone know anything about this? Also any alternative versions that might last longer, any upgrades worth a punt? Different carrier, alloy not plastic?

[k20erham]

Your clutch release bearing is not in that picture, it's in the bellhousing that's fastened to the gearbox, usual culprits are foot always on the clutch pedal, cable too tight, or stiff and not fully returning or if it's hydraulic the master cylinder rod not set correctly, either way it's the engine out, but find out the cause first

[Steve-B]

If it's not squealing it's probably OK.

When mine went in 2009 I had trouble getting out of even gears and couldn't get into odd gears.

Might as well put in an AP racing clutch whilst at it when it does go!

[BertBert]

k20erham said:

Your clutch release bearing is not in that picture

I could be misreading, but I think the OP knows that

[hury]

k20erham said:

usual culprits are foot always on the clutch pedal

How on earth can you have your foot not on the clutch pedal in a caterham?
In mine there is no other place where you can put your foot.

[Gingerbread Man]

Is that not it, maybe that's why it's groaning? In all seriousness, I know it's not a picture of the bearing, but I heard there was two different bearing types which differed in relation to what clutch housing you have!? SO I thought a picture of something might help in some way.

I thought the clutch in a 7 was an AP Racing clutch? I'm sure that's what the box said when I replaced it.

Not yet squealing, just whining a little currently.

Also, I heard your could swap out a CRB without taking the engine out the bay, just separating the bell housing. Am I talking bks?

[k20erham]

Why post a picture about a bearing that does not contain a clutch release bearing then? but there is within the image the spigot bearing, just did not want the OP to assume or mistake in error the two that's all. I'm none too sure if folk just don't realise that having the release bearing under "load" when it should not be will kill it very quickly.

[Gingerbread Man]

k20erham said:

Why post a picture about a bearing that does not contain a clutch release bearing then?

I believed that there were two types of clutch housing (in regards to the 'fingers') and two release bearings. A bearing which matches up to each type.
So I didn't have a bearing shot, but I had a shot of what I hoped to be one half of a matching pair, thus hopefully someone could identify the bearing I need by knowing which matches up with what.

So hopefully not a totally useless image. It was my hope anyhow.

[BertBert]

k20erham said:

Why post a picture about a bearing that does not contain a clutch release bearing then? but there is within the image the spigot bearing, just did not want the OP to assume or mistake in error the two that's all. I'm none too sure if folk just don't realise that having the release bearing under "load" when it should not be will kill it very quickly.

ISTR quite some time ago this was debated (perhaps an article in LF). The CRB is actually supposed to be under preload from the pedal is it not?
Bert

[Gingerbread Man]

BertBert said:

k20erham said:

Why post a picture about a bearing that does not contain a clutch release bearing then? but there is within the image the spigot bearing, just did not want the OP to assume or mistake in error the two that's all. I'm none too sure if folk just don't realise that having the release bearing under "load" when it should not be will kill it very quickly.

ISTR quite some time ago this was debated (perhaps an article in LF). The CRB is actually supposed to be under preload from the pedal is it not?
Bert

How is all of this adjusted and setup?