Installation Method and Precautions for Mercedes-Benz Clutch Release Bearing

I. Installation Method

1. Preliminary Preparation

(1) Vehicle and Accessory Preparation

• Turn off the vehicle engine, engage the handbrake, and park the vehicle on a level surface. Disconnect the negative terminal of the car battery.

• Prioritize the use of Genuine Mercedes-Benz clutch release bearings. Verify that the model matches the corresponding vehicle model. Meanwhile, check that the new bearing rotates smoothly without cracks on its surface, and that the supporting return spring and release fork are free from rust or deformation.

(2) Tool Preparation

2. Disassemble Components to Expose the Installation Position

(1) Securely Support the Vehicle and Remove the Tire

• Lift the vehicle with a jack, then immediately support the vehicle body with safety stands. Never work with the vehicle supported only by a jack. Subsequently, remove the tire on the corresponding side to expand the operating space.

(2) Disassemble Related Components and Remove the Transmission

• Disassemble components such as the clutch pedal linkage and clutch oil pipe in sequence, and mark the positions of the components for reference.

• Loosen the transmission fixing bolts in accordance with specifications, then smoothly remove the transmission to expose the old clutch release bearing between the clutch pressure plate and the release fork.

3. Remove the Old Bearing and Clean the Installation Position

(1) Remove the Old Bearing

• Use a screwdriver to pry off the circlip or fixing spring that secures the old release bearing. Cover the spring with a rag to prevent it from popping out and getting lost. Gently remove the old bearing, taking care not to collide with the release lever or pressure plate.

(2) Thorough Cleaning and Polishing

• Use a cleaning agent to remove oil, rust, and debris from the transmission input shaft sleeve, mounting bracket, and the contact area of the release fork. If there are burrs, polish them smooth with fine sandpaper. Meanwhile, check the wear condition of the release fork’s contact surface.

4. Install the New Bearing

(1) Precisely Apply Grease

• Evenly apply an appropriate amount of molybdenum-based grease to the sliding surface of the release bearing, the transmission input shaft sleeve, and the contact area between the release fork and the bearing. Control the amount of grease to prevent overflow from contaminating the clutch disc.

(2) Install and Secure the Bearing

• Smoothly slide the new bearing onto the tubular extension of the transmission shaft bearing cover. Refer to the marks of the old bearing to ensure the correct installation direction. Then install the circlip or fixing spring, ensuring the spring hook is accurately clamped into the corresponding slot of the release fork.

(3) Calibrate the Clearance

• Reset the release fork to make it fit closely with the bearing’s shoulder. Adjust the bearing position using the return spring to maintain a 3–4mm clearance between the bearing and the end of the release lever, ensuring normal clutch engagement afterward.

5. Reset Components and Conduct Tests

(1) Reinstall Components in Reverse Order

• Precisely reset the transmission, and tighten the transmission fixing bolts to the torque specified by Mercedes-Benz using a torque wrench. Then reinstall components such as the clutch oil pipe and pedal linkage in sequence. Finally, reinstall the tire, remove the safety stands, and lower the vehicle.

(2) Commissioning and Inspection

• Reconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Start the engine and press the clutch pedal repeatedly to check if the stroke is smooth without abnormal noise. Conduct a gear-shifting test to ensure normal clutch disengagement and engagement, and calibrate the clutch pedal free travel simultaneously.

II. Precautions

1. Accessory and Operational Safety

(1) Prohibit Mixed Use or Misinstallation of Accessories

• Never mix release bearings of different specifications. Do not damage the splines of the driven disc during installation, as burrs on the driven disc may cause jamming and prevent normal disengagement. Additionally, the pressure plate assembly is balanced before leaving the factory—do not disassemble or replace its parts arbitrarily.

(2) Avoid Risks from Non-Compliant Operations

• During disassembly and installation, do not pry the release fork or bearing violently to prevent component deformation. After lifting the vehicle, always use safety stands for secondary fixation. Keep the battery’s negative terminal disconnected throughout the process to prevent short circuits.

2. Assembly Details

(1) Requirements for Greasing and Cleaning

• Only use suitable high-temperature and high-pressure grease (such as molybdenum-based grease)—do not replace it with ordinary grease. Avoid using dry brushes when cleaning components to prevent dust from entering the clutch system and affecting its performance.

(2) Standardized Bolt Tightening

• When installing the pressure plate assembly, tighten the bolts sequentially in a diagonal pattern to ensure uniform force. For bolts fixing the transmission and bearing, strictly follow the torque specified by Mercedes-Benz to prevent the engine/transmission body from tilting.

3. Post-Installation Commissioning and Usage

(1) Emphasize Clearance and Stroke Calibration

• After installation, reconfirm the 3–4mm clearance between the release bearing and the release lever, as well as the 10–20mm clutch pedal free travel. Abnormal clearance or stroke may lead to difficulty in gear shifting or clutch slippage.

(2) Pay Attention to Initial Break-In Usage

• Avoid aggressive acceleration or prolonged half-engagement of the clutch during the initial period after installation to reduce wear on the bearing and clutch disc. Check the release bearing clearance every 6,000 kilometers afterward, and make timely adjustments and maintenance.

Reference Sources for the Above Content

1. Technical Instructions from Mercedes-Benz Accessory Suppliers: Technical product descriptions released by Mercedes-Benz specialized accessory suppliers (such as Kunyang Auto Parts) mention key points including the requirement for a 3–4mm clearance between the release bearing and the end of the release lever, the prohibition of damaging the driven disc splines during installation, and the need to ensure the release bearing slides freely on the transmission input shaft sleeve. These contents are highly consistent with the assembly details and accessory protection precautions in the above text.
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References：

Reference Sources for the Installation Method and Precautions of Mercedes-Benz Clutch Release Bearing

1. Technical Instructions from Mercedes-Benz Accessory Suppliers

2. General Operation Guides from Automotive Maintenance Platforms