I would like to hear about everyones experiences with hydraulic throwout
bearings.
I have been burned twice with the stock setup and I am leery of it.
Let me elaborate.
On two occasions, the clutch pedal began to feel really light application
forces.
On the 3rd or 4th push of the pedal, it went to the floor and a large cloud
of smoke rose in the air. The car was then stuck in neutral no matter what
position the shifter was in.
The first time the problem became clear during teardown. The mounting
bracket for the slave cylinder was a non standard POS that some DPO
fabricated from 1/4 inch steel plate and a cutting torch. It bent and
allowed the slave cylinder to hyper extend, spilling its fluid and then
getting cocked and stuck with the clutch applied. I bought a stock bracket
from Smitty and all was well for over a year.
The second time it occured the symptoms were identical.
When I tore it down, the bracket was in perfect condition. The release
lever was in straight and good condition too. I never could find an
explanation for this failure.
I increased the length of the push rod as far as I dared and put it back
together.
It has worked without trouble for another year now. But still I worry.
I now have the engine and trans out of the car for clutch replacement and
this is the time to make a decision.
Normally I lean to leaving things as stock as possible. But I hate that
this area has given me trouble on multiple occassions.
So is a hydraulic throwout bearing right for me?
Erich
ps the engine is still a 260 with 180 rwhp
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