CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING

[8543bob]

Good morning,
I was cleaning up yesterday, a couple of weeks after I got my M back on the road, after the engine rebuild.
I found a small spring in the parts bucket that i was using during the re-build. I ID it as the return spring for the release bearing. I have been running the M W/O the return spring for about a month now, with no problems or noises. Whats the down side of not having the spring in place?? Can I hook the spring now that the engine trany is in place??
Thanks BOB

[Lifer]

The down side to running without it is that the throwout bearing (release bearing) may not be fully retracted when you release the clutch, causing it to remain in contact with the fingers on the pressure plate. This will allow it to turn at the same rpm as the engine whenever the engine is running and will cause the bearing to wear out faster.

It sounds like you are referring to would be the clutch return spring, which is outside the bell housing. If so, you can install it at any time without removing anything. If it's something that should be inside the bell housing, you may be able to reinstall it. Dropping the inspection cover oon the bellhousing should let you see where it goes and maybe allow you to reach up inside (with the engine shut off, obviously) and install it from there.

Hope for the best and have a look!

[MSeriesRebuild]

Good morning,
I was cleaning up yesterday, a couple of weeks after I got my M back on the road, after the engine rebuild.
I found a small spring in the parts bucket that i was using during the re-build. I ID it as the return spring for the release bearing. I have been running the M W/O the return spring for about a month now, with no problems or noises. Whats the down side of not having the spring in place?? Can I hook the spring now that the engine trany is in place??
Thanks BOB

The collar pull back spring must be in place to eliminate issues, it will be next to if not impossible to install it without pulling the trans. It keeps the bearing/collar assy from floating to and fro on the trans front bearing retainer. The bearing will not retract away from the pressure plate fingers with the fork without the spring in place. It can cause several issues ranging from the collar getting out of correct engagement with the fork to allowing the bearing to run all the time the engine is turning, its life will be very short if that goes on. The only smart thing to do, fix it correctly.