Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in a vehicle transmission including a clutch comprising an input shaft to a gearbox, a clutch release lever including a pair of shank ends on one end thereof, a pulling throwout bearing including a pair of engagement surfaces cooperating with the shank ends of the clutch release lever, the clutch release lever being rotatably mounted so that it can rotate between an assembly position during mounting of the gearbox onto the clutch wherein the pair of shank ends are displaced from the pulling throwout bearing during axial displacement of the gearbox towards the clutch, a rest position in which the pair of shank ends cooperatively engage the pulling throwout bearing, and a clutch release position.