Shift into Neutral to save TO Bearing?

[Grant Lenahan]

And, probably through dumb luck, I have NEVER have any clutch, TO  
bearing, etc problem in more miles than I choose to admit to.   e.g.:  
4kq clutch ~ 300k ( and fine) 90q20v ~200k and fine.  other less  
impressive, but no failures.
I never leave the clutch depressed. I never spin the clutch.  No drag  
races. But once engaged, give it all it will take.

Seems pretty simple -
  two surfaces, slipping (abrading ..)  past one another, wear.
Two engaged without relative motion don't.
'nuf said.

Grant
On Dec 30, 2007, at 7:37 PM, frank j. bauer wrote:

> anecdote:
> i've driven something with a clutch since 81 and started driving
> quattros in early 85.
> way over half a million miles.
> i never had a problem with throwout bearings until i started commuting
> in extended stop-and-go traffic with lots of clutching in gear.
> (it's not a merely academic discussion when you have replaced a  
> quattro
> tob twice in 3 years!)
> i dropped the bad habit and the commute - no problems since...
>
> john at westcoastgarage.net wrote:
>> 35 years of professional service experience in both VAG and Porsche
>> products has convinced me that the procedure you want opinions on is
>> more for the prevention of premature crankshaft thrust bearing  
>> wear than
>> clutch release bearings.   Having ridden with countless customers  
>> after
>> servicing the main bearings in their Golf/Jetta (relatively
>> inexpensive), their VW T1/T3/T2, or their 356/900 series cars (MAJOR
>> BUCKS), has given me a healthy respect for the reasons those bearings
>> fail.  Breaking the bad habit of sitting for extended periods with  
>> the
>> clutch pedal depressed is a difficult thing, but I'm convinced  
>> it's one
>> that NEEDS to be broken.  John
>
>
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