How can you tell when the throw-out bearing is going bad? Is that when you can feel the rotating assembly in the transmission through the shifter?

Also, can the tranny be dropped out of the bottom of the car? (without having to remove the engine)

Thanks,
Brad

 

You'll hear the throwout bearing making noise, if it's bad, when the pedal is pushed down. That's the only time the t/o bearing should be turning. If the adjustment is incorrect, the t/o bearing can ride on the pp and spin continuously. A bad pilot bearing will make difficult shifting when going south also. The pilot bearing only is used when the clutch is depressed.
Yes, the trans comes out w/o removing engine. Just do a search and you'll find many threads about the subject. No difficult, but a pain as the exhaust up to the mufflers needs to come down and the trans is heavy.

 

i changed the clutch on my turbo II, my only problem was the downpipe which you don't have, everything else is not too bad. the throw-out (or clutch release) bearing spins even when the clutch pedal is up and the car is in gear because then the input shaft of the transmission is spinning while the bearing lever stays still. my clutch release bearing would squel whenever i pressed my clutch pedal because the outside part of the bearing (the part that stays still) was smashed against the spinning part and didn't completely release the clutch resulting in the slipping. i suggest you get someone to help, it will make it much easier.

 

yeah i had to do this on my car(making noise when clutch was pressed) it takes a bit of time and getting the tranny back in is a bit of a challenge somtimes but as long as you bag and tag everything reinstallation is almost stressless and if you need help just ask me i'd be happy to help.
and while your down thier replace the clutch and pilot bearing as well due to the trouble you'll have to go through unless your clutch is practically brand new.(or you don't mind doing it again or your pulling the engine in the near future)

 

damn.
these boys already covered this
i guess I've got nothing to say but - kick *** and take names

 

thanks all...I think the throw out bearing is definitely going...it used to squeal then stopped, now I get a little vibration only through the shifter. The pilot bearing will definitely be replaced and the clutch will depend on how it looks (only a year and a half old ~ 20k on it..might replace it anyways just for the hell of not dropping the tranny at a later date.