What are the symptoms of a bad clutch release bearing?
2 Answers
Symptoms of a bad clutch release bearing: When the release bearing is damaged, the clutch disc cannot fully disengage after pressing the clutch pedal, resulting in difficulty shifting gears. A damaged release bearing will affect the normal operation of the engine and should be replaced immediately. The release bearing is connected to the clutch pedal. When the clutch pedal is pressed, the release bearing pushes against the diaphragm spring on the pressure plate, causing the diaphragm spring to lift and disengage the clutch disc, thereby disconnecting the engine from the transmission. When the clutch pedal is released, the release bearing no longer pushes against the diaphragm spring, allowing the diaphragm spring to press the clutch disc and connect the engine to the transmission, enabling the engine's power to be transmitted to the wheels.
That time when I replaced the clutch disc myself, the release bearing broke and gave me a hard time. When pressing the clutch pedal, it felt loose and lacked resistance, sometimes making a squeaking noise like a mouse chirping. Shifting gears became particularly difficult, especially when reversing into parking spots—the gears grinding with a zizi sound. At red lights, the clutch wouldn't disengage, and the car shook violently, almost stalling. Ignoring it long-term accelerates wear on the clutch disc, making repairs more expensive. I also noticed that if there's any unusual noise when lightly pressing the pedal, it could be an early warning sign. I recommend getting it checked at a reliable repair shop as soon as possible—don’t wait until the problem worsens like I did. It saves both money and hassle.
