Hydraulic clutch release bearing for T50 gearbox

[jimmy19650]

The Hydraulic bearings are the way to go. The JDM bellhousings are ridiculously priced. The initial design I made up is reliable as it uses a factory SAAB bearing. The mondeo, and LS1 will fit also, but seem to require more tricky machining and/or the cost is a bit more. The last unit I have sourced doesn't require any machining at all, but I have heard some rumblings about quality. I have'nt really tested any of the units enough to be confident they will be perfect for a great deal of time, and until I am confident, Im not going to recommend any of them. The SAAB unit is used in various configurations in clubmans with no complaints. The prototype I made for the SAAB unit was machined out of 2000 series alluminium, so was only really suitable for testing. The design is a simple bolt on and uses the original oil seal etc. I have some time off after next week, so I will test all units and let you know what is the best option.

[gareth12]

i eagerly await

earls performance (tilton distributor in aus) want big bucks to supply a bearing to suit the t50

few web searches tell me the saab bearing seems to be pretty proven, any chance you will share the adaptor plate dimensions when your happy with them?

[Phife]

FWIW i got a new Saab slave cylinder and release bearing for under $120 delivered from the UK.
Others were alot more expensive.

I'm definately down for one of the adapters and i know few others too in the same situation.

[takai]

The Saab one requires it to be bolted to an adaptor.
Howe make one which is a pretty universal fit: and there are a fair few conversions using them on W58s and Escort boxes, so its about the right size.

Edit: ah i see someone has already suggested the Howe on the last page.

[Sam-Q]

does the Saab one fit on a W box or just the T50?

[takai]

Saab one is too small for the W58 snout. Use the Howe, its a much better setup.

[gareth12]

can anyone confirm the howe one goes on a t50 with no adapters or mucking around?

[Sam-Q]

well any model will need to spaced correctly with the right adapter.

Now Takai are you sure about that part number because it looks way too cheap to be a hydro model and they also have something with the same description for $120 so maybe thats it?


Jimmy: 2000 grade aluminium should be more than good enough for what your doing. Also I have an offer for you, if you work out the design on how to use one of the hydro-thrust bearings with either of the gearboxes then I am prepared to pay for your specs so I can mass produce them, they would need to use a stock AE or KE clutch master. However although I would go for a T50 design I will for sure have a strong need for a W box model if things work out for me with my 4A to W box adapters which I am working out at the moment. Interested in doing one of those without chopping the thrust bearing guide tube?

[Phife]

The link was for the replacement bearing only.

I have read on the interwebs that the howe units can be prone to blowing seals, not something you'd want to happen if it involve pulling the gearbox out to fix. It's debateable if this is the case as you don't know exactly if it was fitted correctly in the first place.
Something else of note, Howe clearly state "Designed for racing purposes, not intended for highway use"

[Sam-Q]

that disclaimer is very likely only there for legal leverage in case someone has one on a street car and tried to blame them after an accident "my clutch wouldnt engage so I hit him...". The thing that worries me is that they say it doesn't work on a stock clutch.

I need to find the link but there was discussion about this same subect in one of the clubbie sites, one of the guys said he blew 3 Mondeo bearings because he used a clutch master with too big a diameter causing them to overextend?