Damage to a release bearing is usually caused by the following factors:

1. High temperature and dry friction: Prolonged semi-clutch operation, such as frequent starting or keeping the clutch semi-engaged for a long time when shifting gears, will cause the clutch release bearing to generate a lot of heat due to friction, which will in turn erode the bearing. This is due to the dry friction between the release bearing and the release lever when the clutch is semi-engaged. Without sufficient lubrication, the temperature rises and the grease melts and is lost.

2. Insufficient lubrication: the release bearing has been filled with grease at the factory, but after long-term use, the grease may be exhausted or fail due to high temperature, resulting in lack of lubrication and accelerated wear of the bearing.

3. Improper maintenance: If you forget to refill the grease or lose the small oil seal during the vehicle maintenance, dust and dirt will enter the bearing and increase the wear.

4. Improper free travel: The free travel of the clutch pedal is not set properly. If it is too small or not there at all, the release bearing will be continuously stressed, leading to premature fatigue damage. Conversely, if the travel is too great, it may result in incomplete separation and add additional wear.

5. Mating problems: Poor mating between the separation bearing and the separation sleeve, such as excessive mating clearance or not being in the same plane, will cause the bearing to be subjected to shock loads during operation, leading to wear and ablation.

6. Operating habits: Drivers frequently use the half-foot clutch, which increases the burden on the release bearing and leads to its premature damage.

7. Environmental factors: vehicles travelling in harsh environments, such as dust, bearings are susceptible to dust erosion, grease deterioration and accelerated damage.

8. Design and manufacturing defects: Although less common, manufacturing defects or poor design of the bearing itself may also lead to early failure.

9. Improper installation:

9.1. In the installation process, if the bearing is damaged, such as impact, scoring or inaccurate installation position, may lead to early damage to the bearing.

9.2. Too tight or too loose installation may also affect the normal operation and life of the bearings.

10. The separation lever is not flat or the quality of the return spring of the separation bearing shaft is not good:

10.1. Unevenness of the release lever may affect the bearing force, resulting in increased localised wear of the bearing.

10.2. Poor quality of the return spring of the separation bearing may lead to uneven force on the bearing during operation, thus accelerating the damage.

To avoid damage to the release bearing, the clutch system should be inspected regularly to ensure correct freewheeling stroke, timely replenishment of lubrication, and to avoid unnecessary half-clutching operations. Once the release bearing is found to have abnormal sound or poor operation, it should be replaced in time to protect the whole clutch system.

In summary, in order to prolong the service life of the release bearing, it should be ensured to be correctly installed, provided with a good use environment, maintained with proper lubrication, avoided overloaded operation as well as timely maintenance and inspection. At the same time, the selection of reliable quality release levers and return springs is also an important factor to ensure the normal operation of the bearing.

How to judge whether the clutch release bearing needs to be replaced?

To determine whether the clutch release bearing needs to be replaced, the following steps and signs can be used:

1. Listen to the sound: If you hear a distinctive ‘rustling’ or ‘squeaking’ sound when the clutch pedal is depressed, especially when the clutch is in semi-linkage, this is usually a sign that the release bearing is damaged. If the sound disappears when the clutch is fully depressed, the problem is likely to lie in the release bearing.

2. Operating Feel: Shifting gears feels jerky or difficult, especially when starting from a standstill. This may be due to a worn release bearing that prevents the clutch from fully disengaging.

3. Abnormal vibration: If you feel abnormal vibration or shock when shifting gears or starting out, this may be caused by a damaged or worn release bearing.

4. Clutch pedal feel: If the clutch pedal becomes abnormal in feel, such as a longer stroke or feeling heavy, this may indicate a problem with the release bearing or other clutch components.

5. Difficulty starting: When the vehicle starts, if the engine revs up but the vehicle moves forward slowly, this may be due to clutch slippage, which can also be caused by a release bearing problem.

6. Strange odour: In extreme cases, if you smell burning while driving, this may be due to excessive clutch wear, including overheating of the release bearing.

7. Check Free Travel: Check the free travel of the clutch pedal. If the free travel is abnormal, it may indicate a problem with the release bearing or other clutch components.

8. Professional Inspection: If a problem with the release bearing is suspected, the most reliable method is to bring the vehicle to a professional workshop to manually check the condition of the release bearing by raising the vehicle or to directly observe the wear of the release bearing when dismantling the clutch system.

If any of these signs appear, it is recommended that the release bearing be inspected and replaced promptly to avoid further damage to the entire clutch system.