Hey guys, i bought a clutch kit from rockauto brand named Platnum driveline clutch. It turns out its just a Valeo clutch renamed. The release bearing has plastic. Has anyone used this release bearing. The unknown bearing seems to also be slightly wider. Should I just order a full metal bearing. Any good brands. I dont want to open up transmission just to replace it so soon.

The left bearing is a Valeo brand and no plastic. The right is the unknown brand. Everything else in the kit are valeo part brands.


The kit was 130 bucks. My last clutch was a Valeo and has been good for me. Car is stock. The old release bearing is still good but I dont think i should reuse it. Only 20k miles on it.

 

Imo, plastic in a critical place like that is a poor choice. I'm sure OEMs are doing it, and I know not all plastics are created equal. But for the extra $40 or whatever it costs for an all-metal throwout bearing, I wouldn't want to worry about it when driving the car.

I'd just buy a metal bearing.

 

I was going to write “I’d spend the cash on a metal one and have piece of mind of not having to break down on the side of the road, wait and pay for a tow truck, pull the transmission again, and spend the same money on a metal throw out bearing.”

but then I did “some” googling on plastic throw out bearings, and it seems to now be common in less expensive clutch kits with the people who have used them have had them outlive the clutch friction material, stating the plastic seemed to be a composite material, not a cheap plastic. Others noted at least if it fails, it’s just plastic that gets eaten up so it wouldn’t be spitting metal everywhere in the rotating assembly. Chosen plastic “could” have self-lubricating properties which would reduce the amount of grease needed.

I’d say read up on other forums if nobody gives you positive feedback, but I’d pay the $40-$50 for an oem, ACT, or Exedy metal throw out bearing for the piece of mind I first mentioned.

Interesting in hearing other people’s opinions and experiences.

 

Interesting thread...seems like there's some mixed reviews on this subject. Apparently, LuK is now supplying some TOB with composite sleeve. Some folks have experienced failures, but others have not.
https://www.wranglerforum.com/thread...k-kits.200426/

I would have spent the few extra bucks and went with the Exedy clutch kit. The Exedy kit that I bought last fall came with an all metal Koyo TOB.

 

@Hot_Dog
I bought the clutch kit from rockauto and at the unfortunately they had not exert clutch kits. They sold out. I was lucky to get a kit valeo rebrand kit. This brand has been good to me and never had problems. I just got sent an unknown release bearing. Everything else is valeo part numbers. Going to spend the 30 bucks and get an exert bearing for a peace if mind. Don't want to reuse the old valeo bearing either.

 

Want to bring this back up. I was able to send back the valeo clutch kit with a plastic throw out bearings. I exchanged it for an exedy clutch kit with a metal throw out bearing for piece of mind.