Ladies and gents, I am feeling a little bit desperate after running into a problem during a clutch replacement. Got to the point of separating the throw out bearing and release fork, only to discover that the release fork will not push the bearing towards the clutch because at least one tab on the bearing has snapped off. It fell out when I removed the access plug.

I've been trying to use levers to push the bearing towards the clutch with no success. I've tried levering the "cage" in first with some success but it always gets a little skew.

Starting to panic a bit!

Are there any techniques to get past this?

 

Remove all the pressure plate bolts and then it will come apart! Go in through the clutch fork opening with a 12mm shallow socket and a 12" extension and ratchet. There are 6 bolts to remove. Take your time and be patient. Make sure you turn the motor over clockwise only when facing the crank pulley otherwise your cam belt will jump teeth on the timing pulleys.

 

I got a suitable length six point socket to do just that but knowing I had that as backup, I went back to plan A to try to lever the bearing off. I made sure the cage thing was up against the clutch by rotating the crank to reach all parts of it and levering it from below. Then used a big square section **** pry bar and an open ended spanner on it to force the bearing back. Working from the bottom alone but did not do it, but as soon as I did it at the top also it popped right off. Result! Brute force and ignorance triumphs once again! Onto the heavy parts of this PITA job...