Can You Grease A Throwout Bearing?

“Can you grease a throwout bearing?” is quite a common question among many people. 

Well, the answer is Yes! You can grease a throwout bearing or clutch release bearing for installation purposes. If you want to insert the release bearing into the clutch fork, apply grease to its outer part. 

And apply the grease to the inner part to directly attach it to the input shaft. Moreover, remember to use a little lubricant to prevent it from reaching the clutch. 

However, greasing a pre-installed defective throwout bearing is futile. Since the bearing is completely sealed, relubricating won’t be able to fix it. In that case, replacement is the only solution. 

Recommended Grease for the Throwout Bearing

Generally, there is no specific recommended lubricant brand for the throwout bearing. But there are some factors to take into account while selecting this item.

For instance, the lubricant should be – 

• Moly fortified and
• High-temperature tolerant (as recommended by the manufacturer of the throwout bearing).

Note: Avoid using red-colored, sticky lubricant. They cannot tolerate high heat and hence don’t last long.

Precautions to Maintain While Lubricating

No matter how simple the task is, caution must be exercised. So, while lubricating the clutch release bearing, strictly consider the below advice:

• First thing first, get a compatible lubricant for your throwout bearing.
• Wear a pair of quality hand gloves.
• Avoid using grease in excessive amounts.

Why Is Relubricating the Bad Release Bearing Unnecessary?

You might need clarification about why we recommend not lubricating the bad throwout bearing. Well, the throwout bearing has no moving parts that need lubrication. 

It is completely sealed and designed to endure forever without relubrication. However, if this bearing gets damaged once, there’s no point in lubricating it. 

And the only way to fix it is to take your vehicle to the mechanic shop and replace the throwout bearing. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the throwout bearing and clutch release bearing the same?

Yes, both terms are interchangeable. 

Will replacing the defective throwout bearing be pricey?

The throwout bearing itself is not particularly costly. However, replacing this component could need some decent cash.

Bottom Line

So, can you grease a throwout bearing? Yes, you surely can. And get a monthly inspection done on your car to ensure everything is functioning properly, particularly the throwout bearing. The throwout bearing is a tiny but important part of your big vehicle. We thus expect you to take care of it.