[Razorback1980]

When throw out bearings are actually a bad bearing that is causing the problem it will do what you described in your dad's case. We are in fact referring to the same bearing. In your case where the bearing is making a noise when the clutch is at the top, then it's because there is a gap in there and the bearing is moving around not because the bearing itself is bad. Most of the time it's not the bearing causing the noise in your case, it's a weakened pressure plate. Most people just continue to run them for a very long time when they only make noise when the clutch is at the top in neutral because there really isn't anything that is broken. If the pressure plate is indeed a little weaker than when new, the only thing you feel is the clutch will slip easier under power. Of course in drag racing, that's bad but under normal driving, it's nothing to really worry about. Hope this is what it is more than the transmission because if it is, I would suggest that you just keep driving it until the clutch needs to be changed.