334 and 354 clutch release bearings

[Andy McGhee]

I took the TL for a 60-mile drive a couple of days ago - its first outing in quite a few months. It was fine for 40 miles or so, then I began to get a bad squeal when depressing the clutch. It would last for a while, disappear and then come back intermittently (and loudly..). I'm guessing the release bearing is on its way out - the pedal on that car has always been heavy, and I've been wanting to try and sort it out for a while. I've got a genuine Renault clutch kit for it (it has the 334 box); as is often the case, it's a reconditioned Valeo clutch. The release bearing in the kit looks just like the ones I've seen in kits for the 1108 engine. The Renault parts book gives 2 numbers - 7701348231 for Cléon engines, and 7701616841 for Billancourt engines; however, many of the parts suppliers advertising release bearings are selling items which link to both numbers.
So the question is this: are release bearings for 334 and 354 boxes (and 160 and 180 clutches) in fact 'the same'?
Thanks in advance
Andy

 

[JdeW]

Hi @Andy McGhee, this is the info what I found.

When I look at my parts supplier Jan-Willem at R-Quatre (Renault4onderdelen.nl) website it says that "As of model year 1974 (Aug 73), the split gearbox of the 334 type was replaced by the cast iron gearbox of the 354 type". Therefore the complete clutch group is 160mm as well as for the 334 and 354 (HA0) gearbox and clutch release bearing are the same https://www.renault4onderdelen.nl/Webwinkel-Category-7260089/Koppeling.html

The clutch release bearing for the 334 gearbox in model years 1965 untill 1970 is the carbonring type https://www.renault4onderdelen.nl/Webwinkel-Category-7298521/Koppeling.html

As of model years 1976 untill 1982 the complete clutch is 180mm

 

[Andy McGhee]

Thanks, Joop.
The release bearing in the 334 TL kit is on the left in the photo; the one on the right is a used bearing from a GTL (180) kit - they seem identical. So that's my concern - will it be okay for the 1972 TL 160mm kit?

 

[JdeW]

I understand what your concern is.
But when all measurements and dimensions of the clutch release bearings (either for 160mm or 180mm) are the same then it should be alright.
The model years 1971 to 1975 with either 334 or HA0 gearbox all have a 160mm clutch group and the same clutch release bearing as the later 180mm clutch group.
Maybe @angel can provide a second opinion.

 

[angel]

There was no 180mm clutch for the Billancourt engine, and most 1108cc engines were fitted with a 160mm clutch, too.
All ball bearing release bearings (1969 till end of production) are interchangeable, no matter what the gearbox type and clutch size.
Reason Renault gave two part numbers (besides their habit of randomly changing part numbers!) was that one number was a sealed type used on poor road / special equipment cars. I think that all aftermarket release bearings available nowadays are sealed anyway.

 

[Andy McGhee]

There was no 180mm clutch for the Billancourt engine, and most 1108cc engines were fitted with a 160mm clutch, too.
All ball bearing release bearings (1969 till end of production) are interchangeable, no matter what the gearbox type and clutch size.
Reason Renault gave two part numbers (besides their habit of randomly changing part numbers!) was that one number was a sealed type used on poor road / special equipment cars. I think that all aftermarket release bearings available nowadays are sealed anyway.

Thanks a million, Angel - your second sentence was exactly what I wanted to hear!
Yes, I know that all Billancourt clutches are 160mm, and that, according to the RTA, early F6 clutches up to #153412 are too. But the RTA also says that R1128 clutches are 180mm - both the GTLs I've had, as well as my F6 (1983) have had 180mm clutches.
Thanks again for your invaluable advice!

 

[angel]

I have come across many GTLs with 160mm clutches. They may had been replaced in the past, though, I think the flywheel will accept both 160 and 180 mm clutches.

 

[Andy McGhee]

I have come across many GTLs with 160mm clutches. They may had been replaced in the past, though, I think the flywheel will accept both 160 and 180 mm clutches.

That's interesting!
Here's the RTA page (it was written in the early days of R2370s/R1128s):