Throwout bearing always in contact with pressure plate fingers?

[Kryndon]

So we all know how important throwout bearings (clutch-release bearings) are in manual transmissions and especially in our DSMs. We are also aware that the OEM bearing is the best replacement and should be done every time the trans is out.

BUT...

After searching around a few forums including here, I could not find a solid answer. Is the bearing always meant to be in contact with the pressure plate fingers, even if it's very light contact? Essentially there are two parts to this. One part of the bearing is stationary and is in contact with the clutch fork. The part that is free to rotate is the second half which makes contact with the pressure plate when the clutch pedal is pressed all the way. After having a quick look through one of the breather holes in the transmission, it sort of looks as if the bearing is always in contact with the pressure plate. I may be wrong, but it just looks like it and it's impossible to see for sure. But, for argument's sake, if the bearing is always contacting the pressure plate, would that not lead to increased wear on it? Even if little to no load is applied, the bearing and balls are still spinning and wearing out. It is also clear that there is no type of return spring to pull the fork back.

This effect can be increased when we have to shim the pivot ball (which effectively moves the bearing that much closer to the plate fingers), and using extended slave rods.

Does anyone have any ideas on what the reality of this could be?

 

[silvreclips]

Yes the bearing always rides on the pressure plate fingers. The PP is the only thing that pushes the slave back. It's a bearing, it's made to rotate, just like any other bearing on your car.

Also extended slave rods are a joke, they preload the release bearing. If anything is causing bearing failure that is it.

 

[Marchev]

Yup bearing is always in contact and spinning but there is no load on it.
I wouldn't consider putting any sort of return spring on the fork since that would reduce the amount of movement on the PP fingers, because every time you press the pedal you would have to eliminate that slack between the bearing and the fingers. The master cylinder can only pump that much fluid in one press of the pedal. Less movement would result in even more severe damage with clutch dragging, synchro assemblies wearing out etc