Clutch Release Bearing — Wholesale from China
1 active SKUs · 3 OEM numbers indexed · ships worldwide
A clutch release bearing — also called a throwout bearing — is the small but critical component that lets you press the clutch pedal smoothly. When you push the pedal, the release bearing slides forward and disengages the clutch disc from the flywheel, allowing the gearbox to shift without grinding. We stock release bearings (mechanical and hydraulic / concentric) cross-referenced to OE numbers from VW, Audi, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, GM and dozens of other makes. Below is a buyer's reference: how to identify your bearing, common failure symptoms, and a quick FAQ for importers and workshops.
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What is a clutch release bearing (throwout bearing)?
The clutch release bearing sits between the clutch fork (or hydraulic slave cylinder) and the diaphragm spring fingers of the pressure plate. There are two main types: (1) mechanical release bearings, pushed by a clutch fork, used in older and many commercial vehicles; (2) hydraulic / concentric slave cylinder (CSC) bearings, where the bearing and the slave cylinder are one unit mounted around the gearbox input shaft. Most modern passenger cars built after 2005 use the hydraulic type. When ordering, the OE number is the only reliable way to match — bore diameter, height and contact-face profile vary even within the same vehicle family.
Symptoms of a failing clutch release bearing
A worn release bearing usually announces itself before it strands you. The classic signs: a high-pitched whirring or grinding noise that appears only when the clutch pedal is pressed (and disappears the moment you release it); a vibration through the pedal; a stiff or 'spongy' pedal feel; and in late-stage failure, difficulty disengaging the clutch or audible scraping. Because the bearing rides on the input shaft seal, late failure can also cause gearbox oil weeping. If the noise is present at idle in neutral with the pedal up, the culprit is usually the input-shaft pilot bearing instead — different part.
Should you replace just the release bearing, or the whole clutch kit?
Industry practice — and what we recommend to importers reselling to repair shops — is to replace the bearing as part of a full clutch kit (disc + pressure plate + release bearing, sometimes plus pilot bearing and flywheel bolts). The labor to drop the gearbox is identical, and once you're in there, leaving an old disc or pressure plate to mate against new bearing surfaces guarantees a callback. Standalone release bearings are mainly stocked for fleet operators doing preventive maintenance on near-new vehicles, or for cases where the rest of the clutch was already replaced recently.
Lubrication and handling notes
Modern release bearings are sealed and pre-lubricated for life — do not pack them with grease, do not solvent-wash them. Apply a light film of high-temperature lithium grease only to the bearing collar / sleeve where it slides on the input shaft guide tube, and to the contact faces between the clutch fork fingers and the bearing collar. Hydraulic CSC units must be bled per OEM procedure after installation; air trapped in the slave can cause incomplete clutch disengagement and a destroyed bearing within thousands of kilometres.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive with a bad clutch release bearing?+
Briefly — yes, but you should not. Once the bearing starts grinding, the inner race or cage can fragment at any time. When it does, the broken pieces can jam the pressure plate fingers and lock the clutch in either engaged or disengaged position, stranding the vehicle and risking damage to the pressure plate and flywheel. Replace as soon as the noise is identified.
Should you replace the clutch release bearing with the clutch?+
Yes — best practice is to replace the release bearing every time the clutch disc or pressure plate is replaced, because the labor to drop the gearbox is the same and the new clutch surfaces should never run against an old bearing. Our wholesale clutch kits include the matching release bearing by default.
How long should a clutch release bearing last?+
On a passenger car driven normally, a release bearing typically lasts the life of the clutch disc itself — 100,000 to 200,000 km. It wears faster on vehicles that ride the clutch (urban traffic, learner drivers, hilly terrain), and on hydraulic concentric slave bearings where contaminated brake fluid attacks the seals.
Do you grease a clutch release bearing?+
Not the bearing itself — it is sealed for life. Apply a thin film of high-temperature lithium or molybdenum grease only to the input-shaft guide sleeve (where the bearing collar slides) and to the contact points between the clutch fork and the bearing collar. Greasing the bearing seal will attract clutch dust and shorten its life.
What is the difference between a clutch release bearing and a throwout bearing?+
They are the same component — 'release bearing' is the OEM / European term, 'throwout bearing' is the American workshop term. Both refer to the bearing that disengages the clutch when the pedal is pressed. Some catalogs also call the hydraulic version a 'concentric slave cylinder' (CSC) — same function, integrated with the slave cylinder.
What is your MOQ and lead time for wholesale orders?+
Our MOQ for individual release-bearing SKUs starts at 50 pieces; for full clutch kits, 20 sets. Lead time on in-stock OE references is 5 to 10 business days FOB Ningbo. Custom packaging and your branded box take an extra 15 to 20 days. We supply OE cross-reference data, fitment lists and HS code (typically 8482.20 or 8708.93) with every quote.
About This Part
This is a public reference page for Clutch Release Bearing sourced from our wholesale catalog. We aggregate OEM and aftermarket part numbers, fitment data, and global FOB pricing for B2B buyers.