Is it worth replacing the entire clutch assembly when the clutch release bearing fails?

Question

Subaru Forester 2011, about 110K miles on it.

We've been told by a local mechanic (not a dealer) that the clutch release bearing needs to be replaced. The car makes some noise when shifting and prior to that you could feel some "sloppiness" in the clutch engagement. So the mechanic has concluded this bearing is the cause.

This is a somewhat expensive repair in the $700-800 range.

Apparently on this car its quite a lot of labor to get to the bearing, the transmission has to be removed; so he suggested that it may be worth replacing the clutch assembly while it is all open, essentially as a precautionary measure. The extra cost to do this is about 1/3 to 1/2 more than just the bearing replacement; but could avoid ever having to do this procedure again.

(Specifically he suggested also replacing the pressure plates & pilot bearing).

Its hard to judge if this is worth doing. One thought is to ask him to assess the condition of these other components once the car is opened up; but even if those components are in good shape, maybe it is still prudent to replace them?

It is the original clutch, we've never had any work done on this part of the car before.

---

UPDATE: We did indeed have the clutch assembly replaced as well. Aside from the prudent advice here the mechanic noted definite wear which he said went beyond preventative maintenance to essentially necessary.

Answer 1

At ~110k on the clock it's quite likely that it's the original clutch, and if so you're going to be significantly closer to the end of the clutch's life than the start.

Given the big labor cost/effort in getting the transmission out it's likely to be the sensible option in the long run to replace the clutch now while you've got it apart.

Answer 2

A clutch release bearing should outlast the heat death of the universe. It fails when the clutch linkage is misadjusted, or someone rests foot on the clutch idly, or holds down clutch for more than a second or two (e.g. at stop lights or while waiting for traffic to move). So stop doing / fix that while you're in there.

The deciding factor on clutch replacement is condition. It's silly to replace a barely-worn clutch. But at 100K one would expect a clutch to be about due, depending on the skill of the driver and type of driving (me: 95% freeway cruise, so clutches never wear out for me). I wouldn't replace a 10-20% worn clutch, but a 40% worn clutch, yes, since you're in there.

Of course the mechanic will insist on the new clutch being on-hand when the car is opened up, and won't want to return it.

Pressure plates are very easy to inspect, and are steel, so may be in good condition. The pilot bearing, like the clutch release bearing, is only active during clutch-in, so I'd change it if the release bearing needs it.