2/17/2011
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Company: Ram Clutches
www.ramclutches.com
Maximum Clutch Release Bearing Control
Solve Hydraulic Release Bearing Installation and Adjustment Issues Easily and Quickly
The greatest threat to a clutch release bearing is
not failure in service but failure before it.
The two greatest obstacles
rodders and racers face when installing a competition-style hydraulic release
bearing are determining the correct amount of bearing movement on the piston
sleeve and second, determining the exact proximity of a fully retracted release
bearing to the diaphragm clutch fingers.
An easy solution to the
first is to adopt Ram’s new heavy-duty universal release bearing (PN 78180HD) combined
with their new HSA clutch adjuster. The bearing features bigger O-rings on the
piston sleeve and housing and has additional sealing provided by Teflon backing
rings. The clutch adjuster controls bearing movement and completely removes the
risk of it crashing into the double spiral circlip at the end of the piston
sleeve, should it mistakenly travel too far. Additionally it allows for
adjustments to be made to the bearing travel before the parts are installed in
the bell housing. The HSA clutch adjuster can also be used to correct pedal
height troubles.
As a solution to the second
problem, Ram provides the installer with sufficient shims and spacers and also
supplies measuring information to determine the exact position of the fully
retracted release bearing in relationship to the diaphragm fingers. This data
reveals three vital measurements that ensure perfect clutch operation. They can
be found on Ram’s technical webpage .
This new universal bearing,
which is sold with fittings, a bleed line, and bleed screw, suits a diverse
range of applications, including late-model performance vehicles (Camaro,
Mustang, Corvette); early muscle cars (both restored and resto-mods and those
with modern manual transmissions); street rods; and Cobra kit cars.
Ram’s new universal bearing and
adjuster are priced at $199 and $138.95 respectively. For information, visit www.ramclutches.com.