[turq93t]

I know I am living on borrowed time with having 145000 miles on my original clutch, so I just thought I would ask how much longer can I expect it to last?

Thanks

Joe

 

[96EscortLX]

Depends on how the cars driven.... I personally am not to sure how much time that would give you though if it was driven nicely... if aggressive though, I believe it'll be nearing the end of it's life.

 

[highanddry]

I have 387,000 km (almost 245,000 miles) on mine. Depends how you drive. Replace it when it starts to slip.

 

[coyote-x]

On a related topic; how long does a throwout bearing usually last? I'm trying to break it but I have a bad habit of sitting at stoplights with my foot on the clutch instead of in neutral. Dad says it's bad for the throwout bearing. :?

My clutch went out at 84,000 miles, mechanics said the clutch spring broke, the actual plate was fine. Got stuck in the middle of an intersection trying to jam the thing in gear.

 

[highanddry]

Your throw-out bearing, like any bearing, wears when there is relative motion. If the clutch is depressed at a stop sign there is no relative motion. So no, this won't cause it to fail more quickly. If you pump your clutch back and forth all day long, for five weeks, sure the throw-out bearing will give out. Chances are you'll get tired and extraordinarily bored and give up before then.

 

[Jeffescortlx]

Your throw-out bearing, like any bearing, wears when there is relative motion. If the clutch is depressed at a stop sign there is no relative motion. So no, this won't cause it to fail more quickly. If you pump your clutch back and forth all day long, for five weeks, sure the throw-out bearing will give out. Chances are you'll get tired and extraordinarily bored and give up before then.

The TO bearing is turning any time the clutch is pressed in and the motor is running. So yes, holding the clutch in does add wear to the bearing, not just the in and out motion of the clutch arm.

 

[andrewbadera]

Chances are you'll get tired and extraordinarily bored and give up before then.

or have the left calf of a Greek god 8O

 

[highanddry]

Yes Jeff, the throw out bearing is always and only revolving when the clutch pedal is depressed.

However, it is my understanding that the true damage to the throw-out bearing is done as it engages and disengages (in the brief period where it accelerates and decelerates), especially if the shaft is not perfectly balanced. Once the bearing is spinning and there is no acceleration force (ie at a stop light), it is quite happy. Therefore, as I understand it, the actual act of pushing the clutch peddle in and out is what does the majority of the damage. Maybe I've been sniffing too much glue.

Old school used to say always leave the clutch out at a light. Nowadays, I think people are more divided about whether it actually does any harm.

At a stop, I don't keep the clutch peddle depressed simply 'cos it means more work for my leg :lol: .

Certainly don't ride the clutch.

 

[coyote-x]

Well I'm a bit of a drag racer at heart, and so I always thought it wouldn't damage the clutch as long as the plates weren't rubbing. I try not to have use the actual clutch up any more than absolutely necessary. Anyways, sitting there at a stop light with it depressed means you don't have to put it in gear to get going so you can get the jump on other people. :wink: I dunno. I'm trying to break that habit 'cause my dad said (and apparently Jeff agrees) that it's bad for the car. (Sorry Highanddry, I trust Jeff more. He's turboed. ) And at any rate, better safe than sorry.

Anyways, has anybody ever burnt up that bearing, if so, at what mileage, and how do you drive (like I described or much more conservatively) etc. I'm just curious and I'd like to start saving up now if I'm going to need several hundred dollars in repairs in the near future. I've had the current clutch for about 30k miles, dunno if they replace that bearing when they do the clutch or not.

 

[Jeffescortlx]

I trust Jeff more. He's turboed.

Bwhahahahahah

Usally the TO bearing has the same life as the clutch it's self, and clutch kit's comes with a TO bearing.

I've done about 5 clutches now on Escort's, none of the TO bearing have failed completely, just worn.

 

[RoLLiNnCaLi]

mine got to bout 85K miles.... but thats after me and like 30 of my friends learned how to drive stick on it...... believe me it was burnt..LoL

Laci

 

[Yoda]

I had about 300,000 on mine before I changed the clutch....and I was probably pushin' somewhere near 92 1/3 HP....crazy eh?

 

[96EscortLX]

I like to kill clutches... I always drive leased cars, and I have a habit of doing whatever I want! LOL! I've never had one go on me... even after 60000km of beating the hell outta the car. I have a habit of clutch in and out, I never have it at neutral at stop, I always rev my engine when sitting, etc.... It's really funny to see people who think I'm gonna race them, but then they don't see the cop. It's even better when I do race them, and they don't realise how quiick a little Sentra is! hahaha!

 

[highanddry]

I trust Jeff more.

Bwhahahahahah

I trust him more too. Jeffescortlx > highanddry.

The most conservative thing is to not leave the bearing spinning. There can't be any argument there. I'm just not sure it'll make any difference in the long run.

 

[lukerw]

Old school used to say always leave the clutch out at a light.

This is a tear-jerker for me: I remember my GrandFather telling me to always shift to Neutral (leave the clutch out) at a light and use the Brake.

Thanks... it made my day