3SGTE + S54 hybrid clutch question, Which throw out bearing did you guys use? Options

[enderswift]

Hello 6gc,

My release bearing started making noise whenever the clutch pedal was pushed in the other week. I reluctantly got everything ready and tore the transmission out. When I finally reached the culprit bearing I noticed that the inner race wasn't snug against the input shaft collar. This made me suspect that maybe clutchmasters sent me the release bearing for an e153 when they put my hybrid clutch kit together. Sure enough when I checked on my awd trans, the bearing slid onto the input shaft collar with a snug fit. I also checked on toyodiy and the e153 and s54 do indeed have different part numbers for their bearings. What all this means is that my release bearing has most likely been exposed to radial loads every time I pressed on the clutch, which would explain the short life. So that's my assessment for the moment.

However before I purchase a bearing from Toyota I'd like to confirm that you guys use an s54 specific release bearing with your hybrid clutch setups. Who knows maybe a little slop between the bearing and shaft collar is no big deal and I should chalk it up to a defective bearing

This post has been edited by enderswift: Mar 17, 2013 - 12:41 PM

[enderswift]

The splines are different.

Yup the splines are different and the shaft collar OD is different between the s54 and the e153. Which means a hybrid setup needs a 3s clutch kit with an s54 spline on the disc, and an s54 release bearing to properly fit the collar.

On the one hand I can see how clutchmasters made the mistake, but on the other hand clutch combos are why they exist...