Clutch Release Bearing: Description and Operation

Clutch Release Mechanism Overview

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque Wrench (5-50 Nm) (V.A.G 1331)






1 Transmission

2 Input Shaft Seal

• Removing and installing, refer to => [ Input Shaft Seal ] Input Shaft Seal.

3 Clutch Slave Cylinder with Release Bearing

• Must be replaced together because they are a single unit.

• Do not wash the bearing, just wipe it off.

• Replace any loud bearings together with the clutch slave cylinder.

• There is a divided supply line on some slave cylinders. Refer to => [ Slave Cylinder with a Divided Supply Line ].

• Removing and installing, refer to => [ Clutch Slave Cylinder with Release Bearing ] Service and Repair.

• Approximately from May 2011: Release bearing with an additional plastic washer. Refer to => [ Approximately from May 2011: Release Bearing with an Additional Plastic Washer ] , and a adapted pressure plate, refer to => [ Only for Release Bearings with an Additional Plastic Washer: Pressure Plate Diaphragm Spring () with a Slightly Lower Installed Height ].

• Allocation, refer to the Parts Catalog.

4 Bolt

• Quantity: 3

• Always replace.

• Without locking fluid: tighten to 12 Nm (slave cylinder with a metal housing).

• With locking fluid: tighten to 15 Nm (slave cylinder with a plastic housing).

• Carefully tighten diagonally and in small stages so that the slave cylinder bolt eyelets do not break off.

• Pay attention to the thread pitch on the bolt when cleaning the threaded holes in the clutch housing.

5 O-ring

• Install on the line connection.

• Install using brake fluid.

• Allocation, refer to the Parts Catalog.

Slave Cylinder with a Divided Supply Line





The supply line is divided in the area of the - arrow - on some slave cylinders - A -

Allocation, refer to the Parts Catalog.

Approximately from May 2011: Release Bearing with an Additional Plastic Washer





How to recognize: Tabs - arrow - on the plastic washer.

Only for Release Bearings with an Additional Plastic Washer: Pressure Plate Diaphragm Spring (- arrows -) with a Slightly Lower Installed Height





• Only install the adapted release bearing and the adapted pressure plate together.

Allocation, refer to the Parts Catalog.