Hydraulic Release Bearing
Figuring out your manual transmission’s clutch linkage can be one of the most difficult parts of replacing drivetrains in a vintage car. Hydraulic clutch release bearings are an option for GM vehicles with automatic transmissions. There is no need for complicated mechanical linkage because the bearing is powered by hydraulic pressure generated by a master piston. Just route the hydraulic lines to the release bearing after creating a mount for the master cylinder. To properly install this type of bearing, it is essential to know exactly how much bearing space you need to leave.
The hydraulic clutch release bearing on a manual transmission may be easily set up. The transmission bearing retainer bolt in the 2 o’clock position must be replaced with the supplied stud before the hydraulic release bearing can be installed.
After that, all that’s left is for the release bearing to glide onto the bearing retainer shaft. For the release bearing to not rotate, you must ensure that the new stud is positioned between the two fittings. Using one or more of the supplied shims, the bearing and clutch fingers can be properly aligned. It is necessary to lay the flat side of the tool against the engine bell housing and then drive the rod into the pressure plate fingers until it just hits their working surface, all of which have now been fitted on the engine. Using the forked end of the tool, place it against the transmission and push the rod in until it just contacts the working surface of the release bearing, then remove it.
F Determine how much clearance you have by checking the indicator seal. The tool’s slash marks correspond to a.100-inch clearance, and the clearance should be measured from the O-edge ring rather than its middle. Clearance guidelines from the release bearing manufacturer should be followed. It is possible to reduce the clearance by using the shim provided if you have too much of it. This means that if the clearance between the bearing and the gearbox is too low, you may need to machine the front bearing retainer in some cases.
The release bearing has been fitted inside the bell housing. The braided line to the intake fitting can be routed through the clutch fork opening in the bell housing by positioning the bleeder fitting against the stud.