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]

I had the same problem with clutchmasters. The TO bearing the sent was loose on the input shaft, and I had to special order an s54 one from toyota.
Id call CM and see if they can at least give you a partial refund or something. And tell them this is not the first time this has happened. When I ordered mine, I was very clear about what I wanted and they still made a mistake. Lucky I caught it before everything got put back together.

Thanks for chiming in. In a way I'm glad that I'm not the only one that had to go through this. I just installed the proper bearing and the car is running fantastically again. Plus its a little easier to pull away from a dead stop smoothly now. I've already emailed CM and they aren't responding. I doubt they'll want to work something out, especially since its past the 90 day limit.

Heads up everyone check your bearings!