The clutch of any vehicle is one of the most important transmission mechanisms. An important role is provided in this mechanism for the release bearing. It helps the vehicle start moving, and also ensures gear shifting without unnecessary noise and jerks.
ABOUT THE DEVICE AND PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
It is a regular roller bearing of a specific design.
In the clutch mechanism, it is destined to serve as a stop for transmitting the forces that will come from the pressed pedal. Next, the bearing transmits this movement of breaking the connection between the basket and the flywheel. Without this, it is impossible to turn on the speed and start moving. Its structure can also be judged from the photograph.
From the photo you can see that it consists of three main parts:
- Clip with guide bushing;
- Roller bearing;
- Fixing washer.
ABOUT THE SIGNS OF MALFUNCTION AND THE REASONS FOR THEIR APPEARANCE
The main sign that the release bearing has failed is knocking and whistling when the engine is running, when you try to turn on the speed.
If such a sound appears in winter time, this does not always indicate that the clutch release bearing has failed. The release housing is made of high-quality steel, which is resistant to temperature changes and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion. The guide bushing is made of ordinary steel, so it will respond to temperature changes. But if the noises, knocks, and whistles continue to intensify, it is necessary to repair or replace it.
In most cases, the culprits of the premature failure of the clutch are the drivers themselves. Such a bad habit as keeping your foot on the pedal has a very bad effect on the service life of the bearing.
The bearing itself is quite strong, and premature failure occurs due to the fault of drivers, especially beginners. We have looked at possible issues with the VAZ 2114 clutch release bearing, now let’s talk about what to do in such a situation. The release valve 2114 is very noisy; in this case, it cannot be repaired; the release valve must be replaced.
Several decades ago, this method of repairing a “squeezer” was still practiced when it was cooked in motor oil, and restored its functionality for some time. Today this method cannot be applied. The design has changed a lot power unit, the motors have become much more powerful, the engine speed has increased. Because of this, the design of the “releaser” has also undergone changes, so you only have to change the release bearing.
HOW TO CHANGE A BEARING
While driving, you can hear something in the box humming loudly. The gears are switched on with great difficulty and noise. This means only one thing: an urgent replacement of the release bearing of the VAZ 2114 is necessary. I would like to immediately note that there are no special problems with the replacement. If you wish, you can do it yourself. Let's look at how you can replace it yourself.
HOW TO CHOOSE IT
When choosing a new spare part, you should inquire about the manufacturer of this product and the availability of a quality certificate. The presence of counterfeits in retail chains can long-term cause distrust in serious companies, producing reliable spare parts.
You can be offered products from companies such as FAG, UBP, AvtoVAZ, DK, SB3 TA, LSA. The cost can range from 200 to 800 rubles. About which bearing is better for the VAZ 2114, it is better to consult with those who have already changed it on their car, or with service center specialists.
PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMANCE OF REPLACEMENT WORK
It is best to replace the “releaser” in an inspection hole in the garage, or on a lift. But due to the fact that not every garage cooperative has a lift, we will change the “releaser” in the pit. This requires gear changes.
We will not consider the process of removing the gearbox now. It is described in great detail in various sources. To replace the “releaser”, prepare the following tools:
- Flat screwdriver;
- Set of wrenches;
- CV joint grease-4.
You can use Litol-24 or other similar lubricants. The replacement process occurs as follows:
- We will assume that the box has already been removed. Therefore, it is necessary to disengage the clutches on the bearing.
- Next you will have a guide along with the coupling;
- Wring out the tabs (four pieces) of the spring holder and remove it;
- Now you can remove the bearing from the coupling;
- All removed parts are carefully inspected and, if necessary, replaced with new spare parts;
- Before installing a new bearing, it must be thoroughly checked. It should rotate slightly and not have even a slight play.
- If the check has confirmed the reliability of the bearing, it can be installed in its place;
- A layer of lubricant is applied to the surface of the guide bushing;
- Install the bearing and secure it with clamps.
After this, you can begin installing the gearbox. After installing all clutch and transmission elements in their places, it is necessary to check the functionality of the clutch drive. If this is necessary, then it is adjusted.
If there is even the slightest doubt about the possibility self-replacement“release”, it is better to contact a service point. The cost of replacement at a car service is approximately 3000-3500 rubles, with guarantees for the work performed.
The clutch is one of the most important systems of any car. This means that you need to understand how it works and how the clutch release bearing functions - the signs of malfunction of which any car enthusiast should know. It plays a big role - transmitting pressure to the drive disk.
Removing the gearbox
Advice: it is better to remove the gearbox with a partner.
Before removing the gearbox, you must remove battery and drain transmission oil, the starter must also be disconnected. These procedures are simple, so we will not dwell on them in detail.
- Disconnect the clutch cable and remove it from the bracket.
- We disconnect the block from the speed meter; to do this, you need to compress the spring clips.
- We unscrew the bolts securing the ignition module bracket to the gearbox and the bolts securing the gearbox to the engine.
- At the bottom of the car, disconnect the wires connecting the block to the light switch.
- Unscrew the bolts securing the bracket jet thrust to the checkpoint.
- We loosen the fastening of the traction clamp, which is responsible for shifting gears.
- Disconnect the rod from the speed selector rod hinge.
- We remove the wheel drives.
Removing the wheel drives
The release bearing, which is part of the clutch system, plays important role in the operation of the car. Thanks to it, the clutch is engaged and disengaged. The process starts because the pedal is connected to the clutch release bearing located in the middle of the disc, which puts pressure on the petals of the basket.
IN modern mechanisms The car uses 2 types of bearings: roller and hydraulic ball. The first one is conventional, it is a mechanical device that transmits force due to a rigid linkage of traction. Hydraulic operates through the force created by the hydraulic system, which does not require pedal pressure. The function of the clutch is to smoothly disengage the transmission from the engine when changing gear. I cannot decide for myself which of the two mechanisms is better. They both have a long service life if used carefully and correctly.
The structure of this mechanism is as follows: by means of pressure, the pressure plate presses the driven disk against the flywheel. The flywheel hub is connected to the input shaft and moves along it. Damper springs located inside the shaft reduce vibrations. Thanks to this, the inclusion is smooth. And in order to create the required force, the diaphragm spring acts on the pressure plate. The inner diameter of the spring, made in the form of metal petals, is influenced by the clutch release bearing. It is located on the axis of rotation. He is entrusted with the functions transfer device between clutch and drive.
I often come across the misconception that rotation of the release bearing occurs exclusively when the car is moving. But in reality, when the clutch is depressed, torque is supplied to the cage. If you hold the clutch for a long time while the gear is engaged, an uneven load is placed on the bearing. For this reason, parts wear out quickly. After all, when the vehicle is moving, it remains at rest and begins to work when gears are changed. Any breakdown makes it impossible to continue driving the vehicle. 
Signs of malfunction
The release bearing is very important for the operation of the entire mechanism of the car. Therefore, if any deviations appear, you should not postpone them for long. From my own experience, I know that the sooner the problem is fixed, the better.
The main sign of wear is a knocking sound when the engine is running, which sounds when the clutch is depressed. Although there is one caveat. This characteristic sound intensifies at low temperatures - so it can be ignored in the winter season. But when the whistling noise near the clutch pedal increases, the part needs to be replaced. In the summer, such a sound almost always guarantees problems.
The clutch release bearing has the advantage of high strength. So sometimes when a knock appears, it is possible to observe the further development of events. The sound may not be amplified. But I still recommend starting repairs or replacement. The reason why it fails is most often the human factor. Many drivers keep their foot on the clutch while the gear is out of gear. For this reason, in most cases the clutch release bearing breaks. 
In my case, the situation was even simpler. I started the engine and put the car in reverse to drive out of the garage. When the clutch pedal was pressed, a sharp crunching sound was heard - evidence of a failed pressure or driven disc. Due to the inability to continue movements without availability reverse gear, we had to urgently fix the problem. And I wondered how to change the release bearing?
Replacement and repair
You can replace a failed release bearing yourself. Having little experience in car repairs, I carried out this procedure quite quickly. First of all, I remove the gearbox and disengage the spring clip. I remove the bearing from the guide sleeve. Using tools, I press out the “legs” of the spring holder and remove the part. Before installing a new one, I check it with special care. It’s better to look and feel everything carefully than to redo the work twice. It is not permissible for the bearing to seize; its rotation should be easy, without backlash.
When installing a new part on the coupling, I carefully ensure that the part of the inner ring that protrudes is facing to the side. It is easy to fix with a holder. I apply lubricant to the guide bushing and only then replace it with another one. It and the coupling are secured using a spring clamp. I put the checkpoint in place.
The new spare part will work properly up to 150 thousand km. mileage But it is often necessary to replace the release bearing every 50 thousand km. due to driver errors and poor road surfaces.
Video “Replacing the release bearing”
The recording shows how you can replace the release bearing and lubricate the working one.
The most common clutch systems in use are those with 2 discs - a driven one, which helps to obtain torque to the gearbox, and a driving one, well attached to the crankshaft. The transition from one gear to another in a car occurs due to the separation of the clutch discs, and this is facilitated by the release bearing, which separates the drive disc from the driven disc. The principle of its operation is to apply pressure, which disconnects the disks and stops the shaft without stopping the motor.
The clutch release bearing is a significant component for any car. Directly while the vehicle is moving, it remains in a calm state, and when changing gears it immediately joins the operation of the system. If this small part fails, the car will no longer be usable, so you should immediately replace the bearing at the first symptoms of a malfunction.
Types of clutch bearing
There are two types:
- Ball (roller). They are presented in the form of mechanical units that transfer tension to the bearing using a rigid bunch of rods.
- Hydraulic. In this type, the force on it is created using hydraulics, which makes it easier to depress the clutch pedal.
Operating principle of the bearing
The main mission of this component of the car is to ensure that the clutch is connected or disconnected while the pedal is pressed inside the cabin. The principle of operation is very simple:
- The driven element, thanks to the operation of the pressure plate, is pressed against the flywheel. This process promotes adhesion.
- The diaphragm spring creates the necessary pressure flow on the pressure plate. A bearing acts on its inner petals.
- The clutch fork initiates the release of the discs and the movement of the bearing.
Signs of a faulty clutch release bearing
The first sign that this bearing will need to be replaced is the noise that occurs when you press the clutch pedal. It is very easy to determine whether it really became the culprit and the problem of breakdown. For this it is enough:
- Start the vehicle engine and listen carefully to the noise.
- Then you need to depress the clutch.
- When the noise does not stop or becomes louder, the cause of the problem is the release bearing.
If the noise in the car disappears, then it is likely that the cause of the problem is the gearbox.
Causes of malfunction
The breakdown of this component occurs due to uneven loads on it when the clutch is depressed, which causes it to move backward along with the driven disk. As a rule, a part fails among motorists with minimal driving experience—newbies.
Advice! Do not press the clutch pedal while the gear is engaged.
The main sign of bearing wear is a slight knocking sound that occurs when the clutch pedal is depressed. Hearing a similar sound in the summer indicates a flood of problems, and in winter period- suggests that there may be a simple modification of the linear standards of the bearing shell through a decrease in the air temperature level.
The part has excellent qualities and high strength, which allows you, even at the first sign of a knock, not to immediately rush to repair it, but even watch it increase. But you should not get carried away with such a process, since due to malfunctions of this element, the disks become skewed and their wear accelerates. Untimely repairs can lead to complete destruction of the discs and high costs for repairing the gearbox.
One of the most important components of a car with manual transmission is the clutch. It is thanks to it that a short-term disconnection of the master and slave disks occurs. This allows for a smooth start to the movement of the vehicle, as well as subsequent switching from one gear to another. The process of disengaging the clutch is carried out by a release bearing (release clutch) - the part displaces the driven disk from the drive one.
The quality and service life of the bearing are quite high and failures of the clutch assembly associated specifically with the release clutch are rare. And yet, it is worth remembering that if the bearing is worn out, further use of the car will become impossible. For this reason, at the first sign of a malfunction, care should be taken to replace the part.
Types and principle of operation
There are two main types of release bearings:
Mechanical
Hydraulic
Combined.
Mechanical clutches can now only be found on cars Soviet automobile industry. However, some domestic vehicles, such as, are still equipped with this type of release bearings. This is due to the simplicity of the design, unpretentiousness of the mechanism, as well as its low cost.
Mechanical drive
The operation of a mechanical clutch is quite simple. The following clutch elements are involved in its operation:
Clutch pedal
Clutch fork
Release bearing.
When the clutch is engaged, the part is at rest and does not participate in any way in the operation of the unit. When you press the pedal, the clutch cable is tensioned and actuates the fork, which moves the release clutch along the manual transmission input shaft to the petals of the diaphragm spring. In this case, the flywheel is disconnected from the driven disk.
There is a regulator at the junction of the cable connection with the clutch fork. idle move pedals - the distance traveled by the pedal without any effort. If jerks are observed when shifting gears, then the first thing you should pay attention to is the regulator. freewheel. The free movement of the pedal should be within 35 - 50mm. The normal idle distance for each car is individual and is specified in technical documentation. However, in some cases it requires adjustment. The idle speed of the pedal is changed using an adjusting nut.
Despite the simplicity and unpretentiousness of the device, mechanical drive It is characterized by low efficiency, and therefore is gradually becoming a thing of the past.
Hydraulic drive
The hydraulic drive is somewhat more complicated. Its design includes a hydraulic line consisting of the main and working cylinders of the release clutch, as well as a tank and pipeline. In terms of its operating principle, a hydraulic clutch drive is very similar to braking system, and as working fluid ordinary brake fluid is used.
When you press the pedal, a high pressure liquid, which is transmitted through a pipeline to the working cylinder. Under the influence of pressure in the fluid coupling, the release bearing moves towards the diaphragm. This disengages the clutch.
A hydraulic drive has much greater efficiency compared to a mechanical drive. In addition, the fluid resistance created in the line contributes to smoother clutch engagement.
The main disadvantage of this design is the difficulty of repairing the system and the possibility of air entering the line, due to which the clutch pedal may simply fail.
Combined drive
The combined drive design is that when the clutch pedal is pressed, the hydraulic system comes into operation. However, the fluid pressure does not act on the release clutch itself, but on the clutch fork, which displaces the bearing along the axis of the transmission drive shaft.
Possible malfunctions and their diagnosis
The release bearing is made of fairly durable materials and failures are extremely rare. In addition, the part is engaged only when the clutch is disengaged, and the rest of the time it is at rest. But still, the malfunction of the unit may well be associated with its failure.
The photo shows a faulty release bearing on a Lada Kalina. It just fell apart
Signs of malfunction:
Crunching or knocking noises when pressing the clutch
Periodic pedal wedge
Clutch pedal slipping.
Increased noise occurs due to the appearance of backlash in the part; its individual parts begin to warp and interfere with the normal rotation of the bearing. In this case, further operation of the car is possible, but it is not recommended to delay repairs, since at any moment the part can completely fall apart, and changing gears will become impossible.
A constant crunching sound indicates complete destruction of the bearing cage. Its particles penetrate into the contact zone of rotating bodies, which causes a crunching sound.
In a hydraulic or combined drive, the ease of pressing the pedal, its failure indicates that there is a leak in the system and air jams. A leak in the main line requires immediate repair.
Part life at most Vehicle is 150,000 km. But if there are operational irregularities, this number can be reduced by almost half. Prolonged squeezing of the clutch or its inadequate disengagement when changing gears has a detrimental effect on the condition of the part and leads to rapid wear.
Replacing the release bearing
The release bearing is a non-repairable part and when worn out requires complete replacement. Its cost ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles, depending on the make of the car and the manufacturer of the part. When installed at a car service, you will have to pay an additional 5000 – 7000.
However, it is quite possible to carry out the repair yourself. To do this, lift the car and immobilize it. Next, everything is done according to the following points:
Oil is drained from the gearbox
All bolts securing the transmission to the engine are unscrewed
The gearbox is dismantled along with the clutch assembly (if dismantling is prevented exhaust pipe, it should also be removed)
The driven disc and diaphragm spring are removed from the clutch assembly.
Now you can remove the worn bearing by first pulling out the clutch fork or disconnecting the hydraulic system pipes. At the same time, it is worth visually assessing their condition; if cracks are visible on the fork or the line is damaged, then they must be replaced.
Further assembly is carried out in reverse order.
Often, when replacing a bearing, many motorists also change the clutch disc.
