Technician Handbook ! 302 Manual Transmissions & Transaxles Self-centering Release Bearing A self-centering release bearing is used to prevent noise caused by the release bearing pressing unevenly on the diaphragm spring. This noise occurs when the centerline between the crankshaft, clutch cover assembly, transaxle input shaft and release bearing is not the same. It is used on transaxles because the input shaft does not fit into a pilot bearing in the crankshaft like a transmission input shaft does. The transaxle input shaft is supported by bearings in the case.
The self-centering release bearing automatically compensates for this by aligning itself with the centerline of the diaphragm spring. This helps prevent noise associated with clutch disengagement. 14 Technical Training