So, I found a weakness in the FR-S
 

This is just an FYI post.

I'm taking the trusty 2013 FR-S in to get the clutch replaced tomorrow. $850.

The clutch is fine, but the throwout bearing has died. After 155k miles, mostly highway and twisties. I also own a 2006 Scion xB with 205k miles, most of which was short daily commute miles in Seattle. Lots of clutch use. It's still going strong. So this is definitely either a design flaw or just a bad part.

Good news is this should keep it until 300k or more. :)

It's a known issue.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117440

Is this post for real?

Yeah. I blew it. I should have done a search BEFORE I posted this. Instead I did one after, and realized I need to delete this.

Yeah. I have high expectations. I don't expect a TOB to go out after so little use. That might be a lot of miles, but it's half freeway and half twisties. I don't do nearly as much shifting as I did when I commuted in the Seattle area, and shifting is all that wears it out.

I've never had a throw out bearing go out before and I've owned 34 cars, half of which were manuals.

155k miles isnt what i would consider little use lol.

I'm amazed you got 155k out of it. When getting it replaced be sure to get the updated TOB so you don't have to replace it shortly down the road.

Though I agree with that, I see parts of a car as three categories:
1. Parts that wear with use.
2. Parts that wear with miles.
3. Parts that wear with time.

A tTOB is something that can have low use but high miles. Its life is basically measured in number of clutch depressions and time depressed. I am very careful in all my manual shift cars to put the car in neutral and let out the clutch at traffic lights and stop signs. Add to that that it's only five years of clutch use, it's actually pretty low use. Of course, the engine, tranny and wheel bearings feel the miles, but they are still solid.

Believe it or not, I didn't replace the brakes until around 140k miles, and the rotors were fine. Just slapped on new pads.

I also just replaced my shocks.

I drive the xB when they salt the roads, so the body should last as well.

8 sets of tires, though, so far. I've settled solidly on Michelin PSS's. I always thought Michelin was overpriced. Not any more.

The TOB on this car is in constant contact unlike most other TOBs. So although the load does increase with a clutch press, there is always wear on the TOB even when not pressing the clutch. The problem with the original part was the internal lubrication was improperly speced and didn't handle the heat. The new part uses a different lube.

I'm assuming, at this point, that's all they have. ;)

But I will check the part number.

Do not assume.

I'm new to the twins.....was this part ever revised under normal production? I just purchased a 2017 and am curious on if I'll need to replace it down the road. Not a huge deal, I've replaced several clutches and TOB's in the past.

Personally, I highly doubt it. If course, you can't be 100% positive, but it is highly unlikely they would put a known defective part in when they may be liable for it failing. It also damages their reputation.

The revised bearing was made somewhat recently. If you have an early production 2017 you could have the old TOB. There is a thread around with the technical bulletin saying when it was put in the new production model, and it's around february 2017 I think.