Clutch screams very loud

94 s15 Jimmy 4wd 160,000miles

I get a very nasty scream when i push on the clutch pedal.
It just happened on the road and i was able to drive (http://www.carforums.net/showthread.php?p=594766#) it fine back home but the noise is horrible. Mechanics i call are saying its a bad through-out bearing and I'm getting quotes from $450-$900.
They say i should replace the whole clutch. Is this BS?

What would it take to replace the bearing myself?

Time is not an issue. I would rather spend the time and money on the equipment to fix it myself than pay anyone to do it for me.

Where do i get info on removing trany etc. ?

Also, how far can i drive like this?

replace the clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. Have the flywheel re-surfaced if it is salvageable. a local machine shop can do this resurfaceing for you.
In my findings, the flywheel needs replacing as I have found them cracked and not re-usable.
As for driving it, If you do, you will most likley find yourself on the side of the road as the fingers on the pressure plate get ruiened when the bearing fails.
The hardest thing I have found is removing the top two bolts from the tranny, they hit the firwall before they are out of the bellhousing.
I myself took a hole saw and ddrilled two holes in the firewall from inside the vehical to axcess these two bolts.
then put rubber plugs back in the holes after the job was done.
Time is a factor here so if your doing it yourself be patient, there a bi$#@ to get at but patients is a vertiue and you can do this yourself

Thanks!

Hey does the Chilton's repair manual for my car would give the whole procedure for replacing the clutch assembly?

some of the chiltons are for specific jobs, take a look in yoour book in the section for trans. instalation and removal. If that perticular book doesnt have it, there is one available.