Adventure: Fly n drive.... with a bad throwout bearing?!

Looking at buying a BRZ that's about 7 hours away (Colombus OH) with a bad throwout bearing. Car is driveable but the price reflects the fact that I *will* need to pull the trans and do the work soon. (It's a well documented issue with the '13)

I'm in Philadelphia, so it's about a 7 hour (450 mile) trip, all highway.

Option 1: Fly n drive. As it's all highway, I could likely get away with getting all the way home with almost no clutch usage. This way, I could fly out one evening, meet up, and drive back the next day. Or get there early in the morning and be back that night. So, roughly one day commitment, $200 plane ticket, $50 in gas + tolls

Option 2: Load up the trusty '04 Silverado and car trailer, and head to Ohio. This makes it a 2-day trip. Roughly 2 day commitment, $250 in gas + worse tolls.

Of course, if it all went wrong and the TO bearing failed, I could always drive the car without a clutch, provided I can still start it in gear with a push-button start.

Ideas? Naturally would be ideal to fly and save a day but I haven't decided if I can risk it. Bonus fun is that the truck is 2WD, so if there was snow it would be a BAD time.

Take a spare bearing and fly n' drive. If it starts to get worse, you at least have the option of getting it fixed along the way, although it may add a day to your trip.

Option #3 - fly, see how bad the bearing is and worst case, rent U-Haul truck and trailer..

Being almost all highway, just plan to shift as little as possible and don't sit on the clutch any time you have to stop (just kick it into neutral instead of clutching in when coming to a stop and stay in neutral until you're ready to go).  Unless it's really toasted, it'll probably be fine.  

While I can see how fly and drive would be tempting one of the big reasons I invested in a truck and trailer is so I don't have to drive unknown vehicles long distances.  I'd either have it shipped or just go get it with the truck and trailer.

1) How fast can you change that bearing?

2) how much do people on this forum like you? 

If anyone is in the area that could let you use a shop...

drive it. Where's your sense of fun and adventure?

Robbie said:

drive it. Where's your sense of fun and adventure?

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/meblaise/media/DSC04038_zpstrh3xj0k.jpg.html][/URL]

I rode a 109cc 4-speed scooter through Vietnam (near China up north here) with my girlfriend on the back. Much of it without pavement.

I'm plenty adventurous :)

Trackmouse said:

1) How fast can you change that bearing?

2) how much do people on this forum like you? 

If anyone is in the area that could let you use a shop...

I didn't think of this.

Anybody in Columbus wanna do a clutch? I will buy copious amounts of beer + pizza / etc. lol

My mom's E34 squealed real loud for a few days before the fingers on the pressure plate self destructed.  What a pain to get the tranny loose from the engine.

Hmmm, how soon would you be doing it? I have a shop in Columbus complete with 2-post lift, but it's currently filled with an inoperable MR2 Spyder and the shop is at the bottom of a steep icy driveway. I don't have a lot of time to help but you'd be welcome to use the space if I could clear it out in time. Actually we should be able to roll the spyder out - as far as I can recall it's a roller. The big challenge is that hill. Until the snow is gone it's going to be pretty sketchy getting anything, much less a BRZ, down - and more importantly - back up that hill. It's our sledding hill right now - top speed so far is 15mph and that feels real dang fast on a 1" thick piece of plastic and foam.

dculberson said:

Hmmm, how soon would you be doing it? I have a shop in Columbus complete with 2-post lift, but it's currently filled with an inoperable MR2 Spyder and the shop is at the bottom of a steep icy driveway. I don't have a lot of time to help but you'd be welcome to use the space if I could clear it out in time. Actually we should be able to roll the spyder out - as far as I can recall it's a roller. The big challenge is that hill. Until the snow is gone it's going to be pretty sketchy getting anything, much less a BRZ, down - and more importantly - back up that hill. It's our sledding hill right now - top speed so far is 15mph and that feels real dang fast on a 1" thick piece of plastic and foam.

The BRZ is on blizzaks.

He needs a few days to get the title. Guess you guys have had a lot of snow eh?

More than we're used to in Columbus, but not a lot compared to some places. I don't bother clearing the long driveway since the only stuff down there is my projects and my old truck that I wouldn't dare expose to salt!

Meh, I'd chance it. TOB on my E36 was noisy pretty much the whole time I owned it and it held up OK. If you break down in the vicinity of Carlisle, I'm not too far off the turnpike and you're more than welcome to use my garage. 

I agree with chancing it. But I drove a Spitfire I knew little about from Michigan to Philly. Granted, I do have confidence in the seller (fellow GRMer).

who needs a clutch? Shift without it by matching revs to shifts and take out the clutch pedal starter interrupt and start it in gear if you have to

I'd load the trailer and pay attention to the forecast. It's why you have a trailer.

Fly and drive. It's why you have us. 

If you have problems near the Irwin or new Stanton exit of the turn pike, you can use my shop. It's a little cold and the crown vic needs moved, but it's a work spot on your way home. 

He can have title by Friday... I could fly out Saturday... or trailer. Weather will be warm.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

As much as I like an ill-advised fly and drive - the only difference in cost is slightly higher tolls and possibly a cheap motel if you don't feel like sleeping in the truck or couch surfing. So...I think I'd trailer it.

What are these tolls you guys are talking about??

spitfirebill said:

What are these tolls you guys are talking about??

Ever watch a mafia movie? 

ultraclyde said:

As much as I like an ill-advised fly and drive - the only difference in cost is slightly higher tolls and possibly a cheap motel if you don't feel like sleeping in the truck or couch surfing. So...I think I'd trailer it.

Well, and another day of driving. I'd value that at $500.

When, notice I didn't say if, when the TO bearing in the twins go it typically seizes in gear. 

The issue with the TO bearing is all the grease leaks out, it gets super hot and sometimes fuses itself to the input shaft. 

I'd just hook up the trailer to the truck and go get it. But I don't like things like being stuck on the side of the road, etc.

As for the extra day, get up EARLY, get to his house by breakfast (less traffic), load up the car and head home. Sure it's a long day, but better than the addition of a hotel stay.