What are the symptoms of a faulty release bearing?
2 Answers
Release bearing failure symptoms include: 1. Normal noise in neutral gear, but a rustling sound when depressing the clutch; 2. Metal-like friction noise when driving with gears engaged, though normal driving remains unaffected. A damaged release bearing will impact the engine's normal operation, so immediate replacement is required upon failure. The release bearing is connected to the clutch pedal - when the clutch pedal is depressed, the release bearing presses against the diaphragm spring on the pressure plate, causing the spring to lift and separate the clutch disc, thereby potentially disconnecting the engine from the transmission. When the clutch pedal is released, the release bearing no longer presses against the diaphragm spring, allowing the spring to press the clutch disc back into place, reconnecting the engine to the transmission and enabling power transfer to the wheels.
A few days ago, the release bearing in my car failed, and the symptoms were quite obvious. When pressing the clutch pedal, there was a clicking noise, like metal grinding, especially louder during low-speed gear shifts or starting. The clutch pedal also felt heavier, not as easy to press down as before, and sometimes there was a slight vibration, making gear shifts particularly rough. In a manual transmission car, if the clutch doesn't disengage properly during gear shifts, the car jerks violently. My friend, who runs a repair shop, advised me to address it promptly. He said if the worn bearing isn't fixed, it could damage the clutch pressure plate and friction disc, requiring replacement of the entire system, costing at least several thousand yuan. When driving, if you hear such unusual noises or feel abnormal pedal feedback, it's best to stop and check immediately—don't wait for a small issue to become a major problem.
