What's a good store bought throw out bearing? Does one exist?

[Chowder Head]

Hey guys, I'm doing a clutch swap and I need some help.

I read some threads, and I found out a lot of people who bought the King Cobra clutch, opted not to use the supplied throw out bearing and instead, get a better one from the parts store. Instead of taking the risk, unless someone can chime in and tell me otherwise with some first hand experience, I'd like to get a good throw out bearing from the parts store. The last thing I want to have happen is get the car operable, only to have it start making noises a few miles later due to a ****ty throw out bearing.

So....does anyone have a recommendation on a specific one I can get at Advance Auto, Auto Zone, or NAPA?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[91 HATCH]

i run the centerforce throughout bearing it works great

 

[93FiveO]

I got a Federal Mogul form Advance, but I havn't had time to put it in yet.But when you do replace it just remember to put grease if you don't it starts making little noises.

 

[cevtv]

i run the centerforce throughout bearing it works great

Same here.

 

[302RollinHard]

I just order the BSA throwout bearing from advance. You have to wait a day or two, but it is a quality piece.

 

[Chowder Head]

^Did you mean the BCA one instead?

Here's what Advance Auto sells. I tried a few stores and none of them had the Centerforce piece. Is there anything else on this list that's good enough to check out? Or should I purchase only a BCA or Centerforce piece?

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?PartType=239&PTSet=A

Thanks guys.

 

[91 HATCH]

buy it from jegs it will show up quick


centerforce is on here

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?PartType=239&PTSet=A

 

[Darkwriter77]

Used the BCA bearing when we swapped the TOB out on Frankenstang's V-6 '04. It smoothed things out a bit, since the stocker somehow managed to just about rattle its own guts apart at less than 70k.

 

[Daggar]

An OEM bearing from Ford is the ONLY bearing that I've had consistent success with.

Every other bearing that I've tried has been hit or miss INCLUDING the Centerforce bearing. So far as I'm concerned, NON OEM bearings are paperweights.

 

[squeak93]

I have personally been through 3 BCA's on the same set up. (centerforce one went first). Daggar is correct. The one Ford sells is the same one that was on the car new. They go what, 100k + miles?

You also need to double check that your bearing retainer is in good shape. They are not too high and make the pedal feel 1 million times better. Make sure u get a steel one to replace the aluminum one that is on there (this obviously doens't apply if you have already done so)

 

[Darkwriter77]

Again, FWIW, the oh-so-great stock bearing in Frankie's '04 didn't even last 60k before it started squeaking and rattling and making the pedal vibrate - probably more like 50k. Only got around to changing it out just recently, though. No problems, thus far.

Also, it's the $30 lifetime-warrantied bearing, not the standard 1-year or 3-month bearing for $10 or $15 that's usually listed. Can't remember the part number right off hand, but I could dig it up again if anyone wants...

 

[squeak93]

I have used both, the lifetime thats 35 or so around here and the ford oe replacment. My luck has been with the oe piece.

Now that u mention it, my 04 gt had a squeaky bearing at times with 36k on it.......

Maybe they are not the same quality that our car orig came with........There's some food for thought.

 

[Daggar]

It's not to say that there aren't good aftermarket bearings out (I've not tried them all) there and it's also not to say that you won't come across an OEM lemon occasionally.

What I HAVE noticed however is that the OEM pieces seem to be the MOST CONSISTENT for quality and durability.

 

[squeak93]

It's not to say that there aren't good aftermarket bearings out (I've not tried them all) there and it's also not to say that you won't come across an OEM lemon occasionally.

What I HAVE noticed however is that the OEM pieces seem to be the MOST CONSISTENT for quality and durability.

I was just playing devils advocate (sp)...... I would put more stock in the oe piece over aftermarket myself too.