If the release bearing turns easily, but doesn't spin a lot and/or it
rattles while doing it) then it should be fine. I'm pretty sure that
under normal conditions, a release bearing should be good for *at
least* 25k miles.

Is the needle (pilot) bearing in good shape?

IIRC, that part is not too much money and is something easily
overlooked when one replaces the clutch. Personally I replaced that
and the felt ring when I did my clutch.

Hopefully a receipt of work you had done will show if this part replaced or not.

Cheers,

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
"Jaco"  (Bustorius)

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil

On 10/26/07, vanagonvw <ac.vanagon@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have the Bentley and a Clymer manual. Bentley shows great details, but
> gives little info on 'how to'  The clymer offers some how-to, but
> incredibly, when it comes to the release bearing, it refers to pictures
> that are not in the book :-)
>
> Mine is an 81 air cooled. The clutch and bearing were replaced about 25K
> miles or so ago and have shown no indications of any issues. Yesterday,
> I took the engine out for head replacements,  and since its sitting
> right there staring at me, I figure its time well spent to take a look
> at the bearing. I am reticent to play with anything that is working
> fine,  so I seek advice as to what to look for, how to possibly remove
> the bearing for inspection if that is deemed necessary, and what kind of
> lube and/or cleaning to perform on it, or on the input shaft. Bits and
> pieces of manuals declare "do not grease" parts of the assembly, so I
> just want to be sure what is right and what is wrong.
>
> Its been two decades since I was tearing apart motors and transmissions,
> and even then, none of them was a VW, so I am hoping there may be some
> writeups, or pictures on a link somewhere, and maybe someone can share
> what they know about inspecting the parts.
>
> Please note that if I could afford it, I would just replace the bearing
> and call it good, but that is not an option, as the van's budget is
> already over the top with a new clutch slave cylinder and CV boot on top
> of the head replacement.
>
> If I have my way, I will be able to do a Boston Bob or some other new
> engine in about a year, and I am confident that if I don't mess up the
> bearing by checking it out, it will be fine until then.
>
> Any advice or suggestion would be gratefully accepted.
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> John
>