Throwout Bearing Fell Apart - OE or Upgrade?

[Rick Brewsler]

So my throwout bearing is busted, and I am going to replace, but I wanted to get your opinions first.

Possibly important: 2004 with 4.7L stroker, regeared to 4.88 on 35's

I did this engine and regear just before winter and just started driving it again a couple months ago, when I did the engine I also did a clutch kit (whatever one autozone sells off shelf). With less than 500 miles on it, probably 100-ish offroad trailing, my new throwout bearing came apart.

Question is: Should I just replace the TOB with a lux one? Is there value in doing a whole new clutch kit with so few miles on the current one? If so, should I go performance kit for my configuration, or is OE fine?

Also, I wasn't going to ask because I haven't finished researching on my own, but since I'm already posting, Stage I or II clutch if upgrading?

Check out my build here if you want! https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/my-long-overdue-2004-sport-build.17973/

Thanks in advance!!

 

[EzPeezy]

With a clutch that new I'd just replace the release bearing if I were you

 

[Rick Brewsler]

With a clutch that new I'd just replace the release bearing if I were you

Thanks for the reply

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I'd go with the Luk clutch kit and dump that cheap Duralast store brand clutch & TOB. Your failure of the Duralast TOB is why I always recommend going for first-quality parts where critical components are concerned. Duralast seat covers, floor mats, or air freshener? Critical parts like the clutch, radiator, starter, water pump, etc.? Nope.

 

[Rick Brewsler]

Yeah, I know better. I researched product reputations and bought the best I could afford for everything else, not sure why I skimped here. I don’t even think it was a price thing, I think I wanted it in a hurry. Lesson learned.

Are you suggesting the standard OE Luk kit?

Thanks for the reply

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Are you suggesting the standard OE Luk kit?

Yes. And don't let anyone talk you into resurfacing or machining the flywheel face. Its face has a required convex dome shape that would be removed by the most commonly used machine tools.

 

[Goatman]

I thought that the national brand TO bearing was the one to use even when installing the LUK clutch. Has the LUK been upgraded or am I thinking wrong again? Most clutch disks themselves should last 10's of thousands of miles. It's the bearings, spring fingers and such that fall apart on a "cheap" kit.