Low To High Grade Throw Out Bearings ?

[427HISS]

Is their cheap to high quality of metal and bearing grades to throwout's or all basically the same ?

[BattlestarGalactic]

Can't say for sure.  But, the one in my '69 F100 has been in there since 1990ish. 
The wagon is like 1995?  Though it does get a shot of grease every few years when I pull it apart for clutch service.

Though, those being 25+ yrs old, maybe they are better then the ones you get today?  I don't think it is a common issue.

[cjshaker]

I have yet to have an issue with one. I've used maybe 3-4 aftermarket ones, from varying places like Napa and online sources, and no problems with any of them...knock on wood. The original one in my '70 F-350 is just starting to make a tiny bit of noise, but not surprised after 48 years of service.

[427HISS]

I've only used ones from NAPA,  Advanced Auto etc, but it's been 17 years since I've bought one.
The quality of metal and bearings are in question. Even wheel bearings are not made like they used to be.
I was into the saltwater fish & reef hobby in the 80's & 90's, but got out of it in 2000 to build my Cobra and boating.
We got back into it a few years ago, and many,......things have changed for the better, but a lot of products are just made
@hitty. Metal, plastics etc even from the old company's are just so damn cheap, I almost got out of the hobby.

So,  I'm tired of paying for junk, that's why my question of the bearings. $25 to over $100.
Is the Ram, Centerforce, McLeod with their higher cost, are they higher quality than a $25 piece ?

[BattlestarGalactic]

Sadly it's hard to tell til you get it.  Is the $100 bearing the same $25 bearing just marked up 400% since it went through 5 people??

Get the cheaper one and see what it is like.  As long as it has grease in it, it should survive.

I've have always NEVER rode the clutch pedal for extended periods.   Even long red lights.  I throw it in neutral and stop.  Once I know it is changing I pop it into gear and go.  Especially on aftermarket, heavy clutches.

[cammerfe]

FWIW, the last TOB I've had fail was in 1957. 

KS

[cjshaker]

I've have always NEVER rode the clutch pedal for extended periods.   Even long red lights.  I throw it in neutral and stop.  Once I know it is changing I pop it into gear and go.  Especially on aftermarket, heavy clutches.

^^^This. It also saves thrust bearings.
I'd probably just go with the Napa unit. They still seem to get fairly good quality stuff. Most all bearings that I get from them are made, or at least packaged by, SKF and Federal Mogul, and I haven't had any problems with any of their bearings, in any situation. I suppose they might actually be made offshore and repackaged under their label (they do have the SKF or FM stamping on the bearings though). Heck, they might even be made by the same manufacturer, I haven't researched it, but they have their own specs on quality. Ask the parts store person what the name is on the bearing, if they are smart enough to even do that.

[6667fan]

Check them as soon as you get ‘em. Don’t let the box sit on the shelf and open it up the day of the install. I have been surprised by mid range priced units being too “ crunchy” to risk installing. JB

[Heo]

I've have always NEVER rode the clutch pedal for extended periods.   Even long red lights.  I throw it in neutral and stop.  Once I know it is changing I pop it into gear and go.  Especially on aftermarket, heavy clutches.

^^^This. It also saves thrust bearings.
I'd probably just go with the Napa unit. They still seem to get fairly good quality stuff. Most all bearings that I get from them are made, or at least packaged by, SKF and Federal Mogul, and I haven't had any problems with any of their bearings, in any situation. I suppose they might actually be made offshore and repackaged under their label (they do have the SKF or FM stamping on the bearings though). Heck, they might even be made by the same manufacturer, I haven't researched it, but they have their own specs on quality. Ask the parts store person what the name is on the bearing, if they are smart enough to even do that.

20 years ago i phoned the big SKF Depot we had up here in north. Gave the guy in the other end the bearing nr i needed
Sooo we are rebuilding a Modell-A rearend are we? not often i sell those nowadays had the bearings next day
Called them about 5 years ago came to a woman/Girl probably at a callcenter probaly filing her nails while speaking
Mehhh... I dont know what you meen by giving me a lot of numbers duhhh We dont sell nothing here..........

[427HISS]

Like most company's, their product is made by the same manufacturer, and have their name put on it or some minor change done.
I'm really tired,...of buying crappy products, like with my wife and I are saltwater reef aquarium hobby. Even with the name factor products, their quality has gone way,....down. So we end up sending it back hoping to buy someone Else's that actually works and is better quality.

And just because it has a higher price, does not mean it's better than a low price.

Like with a bearing from RAM, is it better than from O'Reilly ?
Big price difference's.

[427HISS]

I feel stupid on this question but,...

I bought a pilot bearing from jegs and another by accident from a ARP. One is large one small. looking at the crank their is a small race (don't know what to call it) its about the size of the small bearing then a outer race. I assume,....the smaller race and bearing is the one  we use ?   

[427Fastback]

I had the brand new T/O bearing fail that came in the clutch kit from Mcleod for my 67 and I did a T56 conversion in a 67 Camaro and it failed also.Both failed on the road test.I replaced mine with a vintage BCA/Bower one and the Camaro got a GM one..Both bearings had no names or numbers on them.The Mcleod kit I put in the 66 428 Car had a name brand bearing in it...
I wont touch bearings with no names on them and/or made in China stuff...At the end of the day unless they are German bearings they are not what they used to.I don't recall ever changing the T/O bearing in my 68 because it failed..

[427HISS]

Man, that's BS. Whats the German name and where did you get it ?

[427Fastback]

I put $95,000 worth of German bearings in a machine recently and it is really nice stuff.Two more crates of the bearings just showed up.I will have to get the name...
Bearings just aren't what they used to be.I believe even SKF and a few other name brands are out sourcing to China..I am putting my 68 back together now and am going to use one of the old greasable name brands bearings that I have...

[427HISS]

Please give me your source asap or,.....do you want to sell me one ?
with my bad health I don't want to remove the tranny again because of piece of crap little bearing.