Throw-out bearing replacement, 91 Beretta GT

[91Gt4free]

My 91 Beretta GT has started to make a grinding/rattling sound when the clutch pedal is depressed. Really sounds horrible, but the pedal feel is still smooth with slight vibration. I am assuming it is the throw out bearing. Does anybody know what the best way to replace this is? I haven't had the chance to get underneath to check out the setup, but i am guessing i have to drop the subframe and tranny, or lift the engine out.

I won't be able to fix this for another 2 weeks or so, will the bearing hold out that long and if it fails will it ruin my clutch? Any advice would be great!

[gpse3400]

Yes replacment is necessary and you may as well replace the clutch while you are there. Since you will have to separate the transmission from the engine anyways.

[patgizz]

yeah, replaced the clutch while you're at it especially cause the bearing is ~90 by itself or under $180 for the whole clutch kit. and inspect the flywheel and either have it resurfaced or replaced.

not sure on the intracicies of the beretta structure but it might be more advantageous to just yank the motor and trans and do it on the floor in front of your face.

[sharkey]

if you are going to replace the clutch, have the flywheel resurfaced. what happens over time is they get glazed and heat cracked, and once you put a new clutch on it, your gonna get clutch chatter and reduced clutch life. a new clutch needs to be on a machined flywheel.

the beretta is much like a j-body. pull the subframe on the driver side out and you have plenty of room to pull the tranny out. i did my buddys sunbird 3.1l in 3 1/2 hours with no air tools or a hoist. i can do it with those things in about 2 hours.

[X11_STE]

To help answer the question of what could happen if the t/b fails, wel,, what happened to me was it wiped out the entire bottom end of my tranny. Look under the bumper and all you saw was gears. Plus it snapped my starter into 5 pretty little pieces. Cheap insurance to replace the throwout bearing and clutch ASAP, PDQ!!