Clutch Problems - Throw-out Bearing?

I’ve seen people drive around with a failing throwout bearing for far longer than a few weeks. Just go easy on the clutch, don’t make any long trips, and you should be fine for a few weeks.

The release bearing is a “thrust bearing”. Its load is along its rotating axis. Basically, the only time the outer “race” and the inner “race” are spinning relative to one another is when the flywheel (to which the pressure plate assembly is bolted) and the tranny input shaft are spinning at different speeds, and the only time it"s under axial load is when it’s pushing the pressure plate levers in. Both of these conditions only occur during shifting or holding the clutch in. As long as you’re cruising along with the car in gear, or sitting at the light with the tranny in neutral and the pedal released, the bearing is not doing anything nor is it under load. You ahould be fne for the next few weeks as long as you go easy. And don’t hold the pedal in at stoplights.