Lubrication of the Clutch Release Bearing

49X mm 25.01.001

The standard clutch release bearing is not sealed, and requires lubrication. Lubricate the bearing, as follows.

    Note: On vehicles equipped with Detroit transmissions, the release bearing does not need to be lubricated. On vehicles equipped with Eaton Fuller UltraShift PLUS transmissions, lubricate the release bearing every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or 3 months.

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the tires.
  2. Remove the clutch inspection plate to see the release bearing while lubricating it. See Fig..

    Fig. 1, Typical Clutch Inspection Plate

  3. Clean the grease fitting. On some vehicles a lube tube will be used, and the fitting may be at the 9-o'clock position on the left side of the bellhousing (see Fig.).

    Fig. 2, Typical Release Bearing Grease Fitting

    4. Notice: Do not over-lubricate the clutch release bearing. Over-lubrication could contaminate the clutch internally, causing clutch slippage and premature failure. Do not use chassis grease or multipurpose lubricants.

  4. Using a pressure-type grease gun, lubricate the release bearing with NLGI Grade 3 grease until excess grease purges from the rear of the release bearing (toward the transmission).
  5. Install the clutch inspection plate.
Note:
Parent topic: Clutch
Document Number: 0000118270
Manual Publication Date: 2024-05-16
Topic Publication Date: 2024-10-31