Chirping noise from clutch area

[DMC Fanatic]

Hopefully someone can help me out with this. A few days ago I noticed a constant squeal coming from the clutch area. It only makes noise when the clutch pedal is released and when I push the pedal down about an inch it goes away. The noise also gets a little louder when increasing speed. I had the clutch replaced a year ago and Im having no shifting issues or any other problems. Im thinking maybe the clutch fork needs to be re-greased? And if thats the case, do I have to drop the transmission to do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Jonathan]

Any chance the movement of the pedal or your foot is making the speedo cable move around a bit? The lambda/service counters can make some strange noises when things aren't aligned or lubricated well.

[DMC Fanatic]

No, its definitely coming from behind the engine

[David T]

Hopefully someone can help me out with this. A few days ago I noticed a constant squeal coming from the clutch area. It only makes noise when the clutch pedal is released and when I push the pedal down about an inch it goes away. The noise also gets a little louder when increasing speed. I had the clutch replaced a year ago and Im having no shifting issues or any other problems. Im thinking maybe the clutch fork needs to be re-greased? And if thats the case, do I have to drop the transmission to do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

If it makes noise even with the motor off it could be the clutch fork but that would only make noise as you depressed the pedal. If it is making noise with the motor running check the oil level in the transaxle. If it is OK then you have a problem in the clutch. If it is not OK get some oil in there and see if the noise goes away. The three possibilities are:

Input bearing in the transaxle
Throwout bearing in the clutch
Pilot bearing in the flywheel.

[DMC Fanatic]

I'll try checking the oil level first and go from there. Im planning on taking my car to PJ Grady for service sometime next month and I'll have him check it out. If the oil level checks out ok, is it still safe to drive the car in the meantime? I was also thinking the noise could have developed from the car sitting all winter and maybe it needs some "breaking in"?

[DMC Fanatic]

I found a youtube link of the squeaking noise which is pretty much identical to my problem.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPZSNzey0DA

[DMCMW Dave]

I found a youtube link of the squeaking noise which is pretty much identical to my problem.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPZSNzey0DA

If the noise goes away when the pedal is pressed lightly (like in the video) it's probably the throwout bearing. If the noise goes away when the pedal is on the floor and the trans is in neutral, it's more likely the pilot bearing. (With the pedal up and the trans in neutral or in gear, the crankshaft and input shaft are turning the same speed so there would be no noise). Trans comes out to fix either one so it doesn't make much difference. This is a very odd issue on a recent clutch. Unless the driver happens to "ride" the clutch pedal a lot (i.e. drive around with one foot on the pedal enough to spin the throwout bearing all the time).

[DMC Fanatic]

Thanks Dave! After doing more research on this issue and what you explained, it does sound more and more like the throwout bearing. This makes me so mad since its a new part :mad:

[Nicholas R]

I had a mustang that had this issue. Literally exactly as stated; squealed lightly except when the clutch was pressed any amount. Unfortunately... The bearing eventually exploded while driving. The clutch had about 120,000 miles on it so it was time anyway, but still a pain in the ass.

[DMC Fanatic]

Do you think the car is still safe to drive? Is it possible that I can damage the transmission?

[DMCMW Dave]

Do you think the car is still safe to drive? Is it possible that I can damage the transmission?

If the bearing fails you will tear up the pressure plate fingers. It's hard for the clutch to damage the trans. It's OK for a while, if it makes grinding noises when you are on the pedal, stop. .

[DMC Fanatic]

Just a quick update - While the car was running and making the noise at idle, I leaned over the engine and saw the clutch fork shaking from side to side and I soon as I touched it with a screwdriver the noise stopped, just how I stopped it by touching the pedal. Is this still associated with a bad bearing or can it be that the clutch pedal just needs an adjustment? Also, the noise seems to be intermittent now. It happens more while I'm driving, especially when the car is warmed up.

[David T]

Just a quick update - While the car was running and making the noise at idle, I leaned over the engine and saw the clutch fork shaking from side to side and I soon as I touched it with a screwdriver the noise stopped, just how I stopped it by touching the pedal. Is this still associated with a bad bearing or can it be that the clutch pedal just needs an adjustment? Also, the noise seems to be intermittent now. It happens more while I'm driving, especially when the car is warmed up.

Just tends to confirm the fact that there is a problem inside and it has something to do with the throwout bearing. Nothing you can do from the outside. Sooner or later (and closer to the sooner) you will be pulling the transaxle when the noises get louder and more continuous.