The throw-out bearing is perhaps at the heart of every clutch operation. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the bearing moves toward the flywheel, pushing in the pressure plate’s release fingers and then moving the pressure plate fingers or levers against the pressure plate spring force. The action of this part moves the pressure plate away from the clutch discs, interrupting the power flow. The throw-out bearing is usually mounted in an iron casting called the hub.

The clutch fork and the connecting linkage convert the movement of the clutch pedal to the back and forth movement of the bearing. For you to disengage the clutch, the release bearing is moved toward the flywheel by the clutch fork. As it contacts the pressure plate’s release fingers, it begins to rotate with the pressure plate assembly. It then continues to move forward and causes the force of the pressure plate’s spring to move away from the clutch disc.

Then to engage the clutch again, the pedal is released and the release bearing moves away from the pressure plate. The Hays brand has been offering throw-out bearings to address replacement issues of various consumers. The Hays throw-out bearings come in different types for different applications. It has the high performance throw-out bearings, the self-aligning bearings, and the specialty throw-out bearings. The high performance throw-out bearings have been developed to withstand the high spring pressure and high rpm operation common to racing clutches. Each bearing face is heat-treated and blanchard-ground to ensure trueness. The collars are also heat-treated for strength and machined to almost close tolerances for a secure bearing fork attachment. The ball bearing race is packed with heat-resistant moly-based grease for better lubrication and longer life.