Matt W

I have a 95 Camaro Z28 and I have put in two Napa clutches into it in last 3 years. I am about to put my third into it. This time I have brought the RAM HP clutch from Summit. The problem I'm having is that the release bearing is going out on the clutches. Clutch itself is perfect. Summit said to buy the more expensive clutch to get better release bearing so I did. The RAM clutch has the SAME EXACT release bearing and pressure plate that the NAPA clutch had. The same part #'s and all! So I am scared to put it in. Has anyone else had this problem? What did you find to fix it?

timmy39120

I had a cheapo Autozone clutch. Throwout bearing desintigrated after 10 months. I now have a zoom clutch. So far so good.

Matt W

I looked at the Zoom clutch but Summit had suggested the RAM. I'm not putting that in because I know it's the same pressure plate and throw out bearing That's on the NAPA. I talked to the Ram people and they told me they have that part manufactured by someone Else and NAPA probably uses the same people. They also said they thought I had another problem like a bad fork or something. It does have a little wear but not much. RAM says they've never had a problem.

BMX Dad

They are junk. I noticed the chattering and the noise shorty after the shop installed the clutch. They said there was no noise and I told them I would have it towed to their shop when it went out. Sure enough, 3 months later it failed on the freeway 80 miles from my home/ shop. Fortunately they honored the warranty.

First photo - Out of round TO bearing https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/mem...44528-6441.jpg

Second photo - Chewed out pilot bearing https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/mem...44415-6442.jpg

Third - Pressure plate https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/mem...44544-6443.jpg

The out of round NAPA TO caused all of the problems.

Matt W

I looked at your photos, thats basically same thing thats happened to mine. I'm sure if i drove the car more it would have went out a lot quicker; 3rd time doing this in as many years and less than 10k miles. The problem is that i can't find a good bearing out there. I've checked everywhere and even McLoeds $140 one has the same part # pressure plate and the bearing is the cheaper one with plastic insert. IF ANYONE KNOWS A GOOD RELEASE BEARING PART # PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!

mRahmani

I had two failed throwout bearings in my 1997 LT1, before I went with the SPEC one. It's pricey, but it's held up with no issues so far:

SPEC Clutches & Flywheels: Auto Parts, Domestic, Import, Truck, Racing, Drifting :: Results By Car

Look for "release bearing" at the bottom of the page. It may also be the same as the LT4 throwout bearing, but I'm not 100% sure on that. The design certainly looks simliar.

Chimera96

Every brand clutch I see uses the same clone PP and the TO bearing is China made. I also have the "square top" TO bearing that came with a SPEC clutch I had years ago. I still use it on my McLeod Twin. Not sure if it is the one SPEC sells for $85. It appears to be offshore made also as there are no marking. Has a thicker flange on top. Also these TO bearings are somewhat "out of round" I notice. I have not had a problem with any of the ones I have used before but feel the square top (LT4 Vette IIRC) one is better