Clutch Release Bearing Melted
 

On a very cold Canadian January morning, I started the car and it started squealing. The tone of the squeal changed depending on the clutch position. Since I commute, it didn’t take long to go from bad to worse & I dropped it off at the dealer to have the bearing replaced.

They insisted on diagnosing it & yes it was the throw-out bearing ($35) that needed replacement. Since the labour was going to be $700 & my odometer was at 155K, I opted to replace the clutch. They started work and pulled it apart. I needed the car the next afternoon because I was flying out to go on a cruise to the Bahamas. Once they were in they found the bearing retainer ($70) needed replacement & they had to order it – causing a day delay. So no car to drive to the airport & had to pay a drop fee on the rental car. Anyway; I paid the bill ($1,300) by credit card over the phone & picked up the car when I got back at 3AM on a Sunday morning – all is fine now.

:burnrubber:

I wonder if the early failure of throw-out bearings is going be an issue for all FR-S's as they reach midlife mileage.

My release bearing was shot. Between the choice of having the dealership diagnose and possibly charge me over $1,000 to have it taken apart and put back together (as clutch is not a warranty item) I opted to buy an upgrade clutch and did the install myself.

Factory unit was like 99% brand new..release bearing was shot. I was very annoyed ...
Note: same issues; squealing, poor engagement, slip sometimes, couldn't find gears, etc.

I wouldn't call it an early failure at 155k (km, I assume).

On subarus most wear items including clutch brakes and wipers are covered to 36k

my oem TOB is so damn noisy, and has been since new. Exedy makes these?

For you guys that had your release bearing fail, stock clutch and flywheel? Any pedal height adjustments?

I just noticed a squeal/whining noise when I put my foot on the clutch. Started a few days ago and only occurs when the car is cold. Once it warms up, it seems to go away. I have about 75,000 miles on the car.

@raul show these boys a pic of your TOB...

Excuse my ignorance but, can someone explain to me what it means for the clutch to start squealing? Also, can someone take a video the clutch "squealing?"

I've got a video of mine from a couple of months ago. Gotten worse since then. I'll upload it to youtube tonight and i'll post it here.

Also found this:
https://youtu.be/AOzIFnEm2-8

I'm guessing that's more what OP was talking about. Mine's just a squeaky mattress sound when pressing the clutch pedal in and out.

Mine makes the same noise you're describing. It kind of comes and goes. I took it in to the dealer and had them listen, they didn't seem concerned. In 16k miles my 36k is up and I'm wondering if it's the throwout bearing or something I should push to have replaced before it fails early.

My release bearing melted around 50k, the time from squeal to failure was very brief, maybe a few hundred miles. If yours is squealing, I'd take it back and push for replacement.

Seems op have resolved the failure, how was the trip to the bahamas?