Release bearing - general information

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Every motorist knows that the clutch system is one of the most important components of the car, and it is in it that the release bearing is included.

Even at the development stage, any vehicle must necessarily meet all the necessary characteristics. One of the main requirements for the clutch design is to stop the car without turning off the engine.

When the first cars appeared, their inventors and engineers thought for a long time how to make the car stop smoothly, and then start moving just as smoothly and without jerks. Through trial and error, a solution was found. They became a device that is important for the operation of the vehicle in different modes.

The clutch mechanism allows you to smoothly transfer torque from the vehicle's engine to its transmission, as well as shift gears without turning off the engine.

There are several types of clutch: mechanical, electromagnetic, with oneor two disks and so on. The most common is the clutch with two discs: master and slave. The drive disc is mounted on the crankshaft, and the driven one transmits torque to the gearbox itself. To disconnect the engine and gearbox, a special device is needed that can pull the disks apart for a certain time. For this purpose, a release bearing was designed. This is a very important detail in the whole "organism" of the car.

Device details

The release bearing plays the main role in the clutch system. This part not only works in the mode of increased mechanical loads, but is also the only device that allows you to turn the clutch on and off. The release bearing is located in the center of the disc and is rigidly connected to the clutch pedal itself. Thus, he easily perceives any effort from pressing the pedal, after which he presses the petals of the basket.

To date, the release bearing is available in two main categories. These are roller (ball) and hydraulic bearings. The first is the simplest mechanical device that transmits force through a rigid traction ligament. The work of the second is carried out by creating a power moment using a hydraulic system that does not require much effort from the driver.

There is no consensus on which of these bearings is better. Both of them have a rather long period of operation. Most likely, the clutch basket or discs may be the first to become unusable. But in case of breakage, replacementThe release bearing should be carried out by a professional garage unless you are experienced in repairing your vehicle as the entire clutch assembly will need to be disassembled.

It is worth noting that foreign models are equipped exclusively with hydraulic bearings, but domestic ones, in order to increase reliability and efficiency, are equipped with conventional ball bearings. This affects to a large extent the reliability of the car clutch.