Clutch Components

Clutches are, as we all know, an important part in a manual-transmission car. Unfortunately, they are a wear item, and occasionally need replacing. Depending on how good you are driving a stickshift, they may last from 150000 miles to less than 50 miles. There are also a few bearings in there that may last significantly shorter (or longer).

Bearings are relatively cheap compared to the rest of the clutch, and if you value your time certainly compared to the time it takes to change them. When you have the clutch removed, not removing the pilot bearing is false economy, as this is only a couple of dollars. The throwout bearing is a bit more expensive, so if you're on a budget you might decide to leave that in if it's still good. If you can afford it, however, my advice would be to change both.

On the B18/B20 engine (140 series, amazon, PV544), there are two brands of clutch used, Fichtel&Sachs ("Sachs") and Borg&Beck ("B&B). Parts aren't interchangable between the two. As I found out, some suppliers accidentally supply a Sachs clutch kit with a B&B throwout bearing. This item being almost an inch higher, it has the same effect as driving with the clutch partially depressed. ie. not much good will come from it. The 164 has no such problems, only one type of clutch having been used.

The B18/B20 clutch is identical to the early B21 clutch, so if your local parts emporium doesn't have the 140 on the books anymore, asking for an early 240 (B21) clutch kit may provide you with the object of your desire. Note that the clutch cable is different.

Although Volvo in their infinite wisdom decided to give the pilot bearing for the 164 a different partnumber from the one used on the B18/B20, in practice they're the same item, namely the FAG or SKF 6202 (or equivalent). Why this is done I have no idea, although I suspect it may have something to do with making the 164 item more expensive.

Equivalent part numbers:
Pilot bearing: FAG / SKF 6202
Throwout bearing Sachs (B18/B20): 3151 190 031
Throwout bearing Sachs (164): 1850 282 144
Throwout bearing 164 M46 conversion (after experimentation): LUK CL-9768