Release Bearing: Function, How It Works, and Signs of Damage
The release bearing is one of the important components of a manual transmission car's clutch. Therefore, as a car owner, you should know the function, how it works, and the signs of damage to this component so that the car's transmission can be avoided from serious damage.
To understand the function, how it works, and the damage of this component, let's take a look at the following review.
What is a Release Bearing?
As explained, the release bearing is a component of the manual car clutch system. The release bearing itself is located in the middle of the clutch cover component and the release fork, which is directly connected to the clutch part that is attached to the car cabin.
Function of the Release Bearing
In general, the release bearing functions to transfer power from the release fork to the clutch housing to press the flywheel, connect and separate the clutch, and dampen vibrations that occur when the clutch is operating.
The success of the release bearing's function can be realized because inside the release bearing there are various components that have different functions to support the performance of the release bearing. The components inside the release bearing are as follows.
1. Hub
This component serves as the seat or bearing of the release bearing. The location of this component is in the area of the release fork and is directly connected to it.
2. Waver Washer and Snap Ring
This component serves as a holder for the bearing to connect with the hub component. Thus, the release fork component and the hub component will not detach even if the release fork component receives strong pressure or force.
3. Rubber Seat and Resin Seat
This component serves as a damper when the release bearing is connected to the diaphragm spring.
4. Self Center (Self Centering Release Bearing)
This component serves as a bearing to ensure the release bearing is in the center position when connected to the coil spring so that the pressure plate will lift uniformly on each side.
How the Release Bearing Works
The way the release bearing works is quite similar to the way other bearing components work. However, there is one difference, namely in the diaphragm spring pressure part located in the middle, also known as self-centered. This part functions to dampen the noise generated during the diaphragm spring pressing process by the surface of the release bearing.
When this process occurs, it will certainly generate a vibration. However, to prevent that vibration, the release bearing uses a resin seat or rubber seat.
When the self-centered presses the diaphragm spring, the self-centered will adjust the position of the diaphragm spring to be exactly in the center position by moving downwards. Thus, automatically, the pressure plate lifts so that the engine rotation can be transmitted to the transmission input shaft.
Read Also: Hard Clutch? Here are the Causes and How to Overcome It
Signs of a Damaged Release Bearing
If there is damage to the release bearing, several signs will appear as follows.
- When the clutch pedal is pressed, vibrations will appear in the bearing. Sometimes, disturbing noises may also occur.
- The clutch gear is difficult to shift.
- The clutch feels heavy when pressed and a squeaking sound occurs.
Damage to the release bearing is usually caused by overheating engine conditions. When this component is damaged, it cannot be repaired, so it needs to be replaced with a new component. For those of you who want to replace the release bearing, you can do so at the official Daihatsu workshop because that workshop guarantees that the spare parts used are original and of high quality.
