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

It takes an S54 TOB.

That's what I figured. Sigh, still wanted to make sure because I have certainly been surprised by counter intuitive stuff more than once.

This post has been edited by enderswift: Mar 18, 2013 - 2:14 PM

Well damn..I noticed the slop too when I put my hybrid clutch together.

I used the old retaining clip from the s54 because the one CM sent me with the bearing was a little different...I really..really hope the slop is normal and you just got a defective bearing..

This maybe a stupid question and I hope I'm not thread jacking. I still don't understand why u would need a 3sgte clutch and an s54 input shaft collar if the trans mates and works fine with the 3sgte. Why not just use 3/5sfe clutch and gte pressure plate then?

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Mar 18, 2013 - 1:33 AM

The splines are different.

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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...

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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.

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A 5sfe pressure plate doesn't bolt up to a 3sgte motor. So you need a 5sfe clutch kit (clutch, throw out bearing, alignment tool), with a 3sgte pressure plate.

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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!

this is why i recommend Southbend. just call them up, tell john or andy what you have and they will send it out.

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If you had to change out the clip then you for sure got the wrong bearing. the e153 clutch fork has notches cut into it for the clip to fit into, whearas the s54 piece has no notches. If you develope a whine that only comes on when the clutch is pushed in then you're in for some fun.

Smaay how much commission do you earn per southbend referral?

none, a few years ago i needed a clutch and they hooked me up, i dont get anything special from them, im just very happy with their quality clutches and service.