Clutch Pusher
With a stock clutch pusher, the pusher itself turns
with the pressure plate when the clutch is released. This pressure against the
ball bearing should not transfer to the clutch pushrod, as if it did, friction
would friction weld the pushrod to the pusher. When the clutch is released, and
transmission is out of gear, the pusher turns with the pressure plate, but the
pushrods don't turn, they are in tension and are stopped from turning. Pushrod
stopped from turning, pusher turning, welding begins.
The friction area between pusher and pushrod is large compared to the pusher to
ball to pushrod. Less friction area, less chance of welding.
When the pressure is relieved on the rod to pusher, the pusher turns with the
input shaft to ball to pushrod. An alternative is the ball/needle pusher as its
main body doesn't spin with the pressure plate.
Most people here are used to the aluminum pressure plates in S and later H
series clutches. Early H series clutches used a stamped steel pressure plate,
with a punched tab area in the middle of it, that engaged with a slot cut in the
pusher. This interface ensured the pusher spun with the pressure plate, and not
with the ball/pushrod.
I have seen a few of the bearings welded to the pushrods, when stuff like
synthetic "oils" are used in the transmission.
I have never used a ball/needle pusher in any of my three cylinders, but then, I
haven't run synthetic snake oils in the transmissions either. I always run
either an 80W90 or 85W90 natural gear oil in them.