Defective Release bearing right out of the box

[Onefast99gsx]

Luck just hasn't swung my way lately. I'm usually the guy who gets sent the wrong part or something broke/defective. I took my new Mitsu TOB out of the box tonight after having it for over a month and was going to put it on the tranny so i could bolt motor to tranny this weekend.

Got the inner plastic part of the bearing lubed up to slide onto tranny and I noticed one of the tabs where that little 1/2 round spring goes thru, had a big crack(see pic). My Mitsu dealer is 40 minutes away and probably wouldn't have a wiper blade if needed. I don't want to wait till Monday to receive something from my Minnesota dealer.

So I thought why not just carefully switch the backs. There are 4 tabs that you just carefully bend back slightly. I've already switched the backs. Put my old TOB back on the new TOB. Bent the tabs right back into place where they were and everything is all centered.

Just wanted to get someones blessings on this that maybe had to do this themselves. I don't see why it would be bad to do this.

Thanks...

[Swifty1638]

Looks like hell. I suppose if the dimensions are the same, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Just make sure it's all together securely, and lube it all up well!

-A. Swift

[Onefast99gsx]

Yep, it's the same exact bearing. The Mitsu OEM one. All 4 tabs are bent back to where they were. I also only bent them just enough to where the back plate would come off so I wouldn't weaken the tabs.

Thanks.

[Goat Blower]

Should be fine. There's no real force pulling it back away from the clutch.

[Onefast99gsx]

Thanks alot Steve. I actually did something for once and felt confident right away. I just wanted to hear others opinions on it. My engine leveler showed up yesterday. I'll take pics of it going in the bay.

[Goat Blower]

Face the crank handle of the leveler on the driver's side of the engine, makes it easier to adjust as you're putting the motor in.

[sleepydsm]

Shitty luck!