Are All Throw Out Bearing Created Equal?
 

I have the trans out now and was curious if anyone has come across a design that's better than stock.

Not sure about stock, but be very careful with the aftermarket replacements. Some of them suck so bad they will go out in a day

All I know is ebay units are known as barely passable paper weights.

get OEM replacement, thats the best solution

I know the National brand throw out bearing that Autozone stocks does not fit a Miata, so I got a Timken.

Truth. Most of them aren't even for a miata and won't even fit.

id would just go OEM for that..i am currently dealing with a whiny bearing that came with my ebay clutch.. hasn't made noise for about a year up until a month ago next time my transmission is off the motor i will replace with OEM.

Bringing it back.

I installed an F1 stage 3 6pck, pp, TObearing, pilot bearing, slave, light fly, and all trans and rear main seal back in November. Everything was fine untill I noticed oil from weep hole of trans during an oil change in December. Checked fluid, added a bit and have been keeping a eye on it. About a week ago I noticed a sqeeky/scratchy noise from under the car. Only in reverse on throttle and during deceleration in gear off throttle. Im pretty sure the TO was Timken aswell as the pilot.

Any ideas? Could it be the throw out?

I'm positive the fluid leak is comming from the front case cover inside the bell. I didn't have a gasket and used rtv. I don't remember feeling good about the way it when back together. I plan to pull the motor once I get the other car out of the garage. So ill find out soon, hope the noise doesn't turn into a disaster.

You sure it is trans oil? Smells way different. The 5 speed uses a paper gasket (I think the 6 speed is RTV). I know because I had to wait a week for the dealer to get one in before I could put my trans back in. I believe you are supposed to put thread sealant on the front trans cover bolts as well. Did you do that?

I don't think the throw out with the clutch engaged would make a noise like that if it was bad. There's no axial force on the bearing. If anything it would just be a rattling noise. Maybe its the pilot?

Definitely not all throw out bearing are equal. I had one from a FM happy meal kit that failed on me with a stage 2 clutch kit. They then replaced it with a beast of a throw out bearing. It's so hefty that you could probably knock someone out with it.

But if you have a stock pressure plate oem is probably just fine.

NEW Mazda OEM one failed in 10 miles, went back to stock one with 160k on it still going strong. Think these things are hit or miss.

Are you sure it was OEM? That sucks man..

Does anyone hear get a little crazy and take the rubber seals off, clean out the old grease and put in synthetic grease on any bearings they have to deal with ??

I plan to do that on the Flywheels 6202RS bearing and the Throwout as well. I had to replace the left front hub right after I bought the car so I put some syn in there while I was at it.

Are you saying your going to disassemble the dust covers and lube up the insides?

My OEM TOB purchased from Rosenthal just started chirping intermittenly a week or 2 ago. I just replaced the clutch, TOB, and Pilot bearing at the end of October

Yes that is what I do, you have to be carefull to get the seals of nicely. I have some Nitro RC truggy and trucks and run them in the winter so I've been doing that for years to get some more life out if them.
I've never done it to a TOB though, I'll have to take a look first.