Miata Mailing List: June 1997, Message #72
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From: 	todd.barney@ons.octel.com (Todd Barney)

Subject: Re: "riding the clutch": Response 

Date: 	Mon, 2 Jun 1997 12:56:25 -0500



     I thought our throw-out bearings were always spinning, even with the 

     clutch pedal out?  Just not under load, that's all.

     

     Todd & Miatoy





______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________

Subject: "riding the clutch": Response 

Author:  "epsilon7" <epsilon7@worldnet.att.net> at P_ONS_INTERNET_MAIL

Date:    6/1/97 11:04 PM





My 2 cents:

     

You want to depress your clutch pedal ONLY under one condition:  when you 

want to change gears.  

     

Don't do these:

     

Sit at a light with the clutch "in" (depressed) (runs up cycles in the 

throw-out bearing).  Instead, trans. in neutral and clutch out.

     

"Ride the clutch" (partially depressing it while trans is in gear) (wears 

out the throw-out bearing and the clutch disc).  Very bad. 

     

why?

     

Depressing the clutch results in:  

1.  The throw-out bearing turns against the pressure plate. 

2.  The springs are depressed on the pressure plate.

3.  The clutch disc is separated from the flywheel (no connection between 

engine and trans.)

     

When the clutch pedal is out:

1.  The throw-out bearing is not turning.

2.  The pressure plate springs are pushing the clutch disc fully against 

the flywheel. (Full connection between engine and trans.)

     

To me, minimal wear on clutch/throw-out is the situation when the clutch 

pedal is out.

     

Some might would argue the throw-out bearing is cheaper than the 

input-bearings in the tranny (sit at a light with the clutch in), I say the 

load is nil and the tranny bearings are sitting in an MTL bath...the 

throw-out is self-lubed and when it dries out, it goes bye-bye.

     

Regie Bryant

'93 Red B-Package,  HT, LSD, 

Team Sebring SC, JR catback, SP8000's, J&S knock mgmt, JR Sways, CRI Horns