Clutch release / throw out bearing

[Rusty]

What are the thoughts on the plastic and metal versions of these? I replaced mine a few years back with a plastic version from VAG but as I'm looking at replacing the clutch with an uprated one, I wanted to fit a new one to be safe... as ever

I can get a Sachs one with the clutch kit but it looks to be the plastic version...

http://www.sachsperformance.com/Sach...utch::696.html

Where can I get a metal one in the UK?

[Rusty]

http://www.034motorsport.com/engine-...01e-p-543.html

Here's the metal one from 034 but is there a UK alternative?

[jade]

What are the thoughts on the plastic and metal versions of these? I replaced mine a few years back with a plastic version from VAG but as I'm looking at replacing the clutch with an uprated one, I wanted to fit a new one to be safe... as ever

I can get a Sachs one with the clutch kit but it looks to be the plastic version...

http://www.sachsperformance.com/Sach...utch::696.html

Where can I get a metal one in the UK?

I think you will find a few threads on failed OEM release bearing, go with sach

IMG_0903.JPG
IMG_0904.JPG
IMG_0907.JPG

Think you get the picture

[Rusty]

Sachs one looks the same as OE though hence the thread...

[GazzaG60]

plastics no issue so long as its well designed and thwe stress is placed against materials up for the job.

naturally we prefer metal feeling its "stronger"

just do the engine upgrades and run it andy. you know your stuff and really to extract 500HP or so needs not many special bits on the I5. the specials cost lots and give little at sub 600hp levels.

longevity over strength is key if using it regular.

[jade]

plastics no issue so long as its well designed and thwe stress is placed against materials up for the job.

naturally we prefer metal feeling its "stronger"

just do the engine upgrades and run it andy. you know your stuff and really to extract 500HP or so needs not many special bits on the I5. the specials cost lots and give little at sub 600hp levels.

longevity over strength is key if using it regular.

I would not risk it, its a bitch of a job if it fails and the after-market ones are not dare

[GazzaG60]

if oem is bad and its the same as andy suggests where do you go?

its not about risking it with a 2 quid part. its about sach v oem. if the same not a problem.

personally id go oem as I did on most of my build parts but if that's the same as sach then why not get the full lot there.

[mcandmar]

I'm running one i sourced from 034, but in all honesty there is nothing wrong with the original plastic one so dont bother with it.

I remember Jamo always gave out about the metal ones rattling, not had the issue myself but i suspect with 3B single mass flywheel conversions they have more room to move about.

[Rusty]

I would only use OE/Sachs/Luk but remembered seeing the metal 034 one and wanted to know if it was a readily available part in the UK, as plastic goes brittle over time, as proven on the water and oil systems...

[AndyP]

I've had both Audi and Sachs and they are the same, the plastic body does not appear to be a problem but the face plate wears away very quickly and then falls off. I'll post some pics in a bit.

I ordered an LUK one from ECP when I did the flywheel pin the other week, when I went to collect it it was not an LUK but it did have a metal face plate. Seems OK so far, it was about £25.

[Rusty]

Will know how good the OE one is when I take it out, it had a hard life till I went RS2 and became all scared about launching it

[mcandmar]

Found it here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-AUDI-V...item58a0e85132 but no hint as to who made it. Lucas/Girling do make bearings for a variety of vw/audi cars, i suspect it may be one of them.

[Rusty]

There's a metal one on the Helix clutch website -

http://www.performanceclutch.co.uk/coupe-s2-eng-aby-1992-1995/40-3210-audi-release-bearing-2028334-232437-708278.php

Also, from their online parts catalogue, the LUK number is 500 1050 10 - £18 http://www.bestpartstore.co.uk/623872

There's also the LUK 500 0607 20 but that's £58 - http://www.bestpartstore.co.uk/630181

^^ This appears to be NLA and has been superseded twice

SKF part number VKC 2601 - £13 http://www.bestpartstore.co.uk/17112

[AndyP]

This is the one that came with the SRE clutch kit. This one had done about 1800miles when the exhaust valve broke and I had to take the engine out again, I replaced it with an Audi part. As you can see it's already wearing a healthy groove in the face plate.





This is the Audi bearing







This one had done about 8000miles, as you can see it's gone through the face plastic face plate and it's now doing nothing. There is also a lot of side to side movement in the bearing itself considering the mileage. Didn't get a picture of the metal one I fitted replaced it with.

[mcandmar]

Interesting, any i have seen had grabbed onto the fingers and stayed in the one position.