Clutch Whining Noise

Discussion in 'U-shift em' started by GNSX, May 28, 2014.

  1. GNSX

    GNSX Well-Known Member

    I just noticed a faint whining noise coming from the clutch area. It's noticeable in neutral idling. Push the clutch in and it stops. I don't hear it when driving in gear. Where should I start?
     
  2. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    Sounds like the throw out bearing to me.Do you have a spring pulling the throwout bearing off the pressure plate when you aren't pushing the pedal?

    Getting the car on jack stands, and with a long screw driver covered in duck tape or something similar see if you can spin the throw out bearing some and see if it makes any noise or has any sticking points while spinning.

    When the clutch pedal isn't pushed down, everything except the throwout bearing is essentially locked down. The disc is between the pressure plate and flywheel and not loose.

    I'd be shocked if it's the input shaft bearing since it doesn't make the noise under load.
     
  3. GNSX

    GNSX Well-Known Member

    It does have a spring that seems really squeaky and stiff and looks like it's connects from the frame to the shaft for the clutch that turns with pedal movement on the drivers side of the transmission. Is that the spring you're referring to? Is there any kind of adjustments I could do? Will I be able to access the throwout bearing just by taking the inspection cover off?

    Here's a video I found not specific to this car but is the same sound and symptoms

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWlK3sVXPyk
     
  4. killrbuick66455

    killrbuick66455 Well-Known Member

    its the pilot bearing definitely ill bet on it or a trans bearing
     
  5. GNSX

    GNSX Well-Known Member

    Any adjustments or anything I can do to prevent a complete tear down?
     
  6. killrbuick66455

    killrbuick66455 Well-Known Member

    sorry not that I'm a where of..
     
  7. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    A Throw out bearing would get louder with the clutch pedal pushed down. You likely need an input shaft bearing. I would bet against the pilot bushing too since the input shaft would be turning at the same rate as the pilot bushing with the trans in neutral and the clutch engaged..
     
  8. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    How much pedal movement do you have before there is pressure from the pressure plate (vs. said spring)? If there isn't much, then it may need to be backed off a hair.
     
  9. GNSX

    GNSX Well-Known Member

    Clutch engages well and the transmission shifts good. I really have to press on the clutch hard to get it to shift smooth though. Engagement of the clutch is very close to the floor IMHO. Maybe 1/4" pedal travel from the floor to fully engage and has a very springy stiff and squeaky pedal.
     
  10. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    Hmm, I was hoping you'd say it engaged up high. It sounds like there could be linkage adjustment issues as a separate possible issue. Factory aluminum bellhousing? Or adjustable pivot ball? I still say get it up on jack stands and check how the throw out bearing spins. You should be able to see it with the inspection cover removed.
     
  11. GNSX

    GNSX Well-Known Member

    I believe it's all factory. I'll try and get some pics.
     
  12. GNSX

    GNSX Well-Known Member

    It is all factory. I took some pics of the setup. I'm not able to get the bearing to spin with a screwdriver.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  13. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    Hmm, it does look like some adjustment needs to be made to bring the pedal engagement up some, but that is an entirely separate, relatively minor, issue from the noise.

    Did you have something on the end of the screw driver to give some traction between it and the throwout bearing? It should spin relatively freely, but at the same time, it shouldn't be making any noise (aka not spinning) if it's not touching the pressure plate, which unless there is something odd about the pressure plate (hidden from view in the picture) it shouldn't be touching the throwout bearing in that position.

    It's looking like the trans has to come out regardless if it's the throwout bearing, pressure plate, pilot bushing or input shaft bearing because I was expecting the throwout bearing to be touching the pressure plate, and the only adjustment you can make with out pulling the trans is backing off the pedal adjustment or adding a spring to pull the throw out bearing off the pressure plate when the pedal isn't being pressed.


    (Man, I wish I could keep the underside of my car that clean :pp)
     
  14. GNSX

    GNSX Well-Known Member

    It does spin freely after all and doesn't touch the pressure plate. Doesn't make any noises this way. At first I was trying to spin the part that is in the clutch release fork :Dou: Maybe if I crawl under there with it running I'll be able to see/hear better what's going on.
     
  15. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    Wouldn't hurt to look/listen closely.

    Naturally anytime a car is on jackstands and running be careful of revving the engine or such and causing the car to shake. Likewise with the flywheel spinning, keep hands, nose and tools away from it. I would jiggle the clutch fork while under there to see if it effects the noise. May have to unhook the return spring (in the picture) to make it easier to jiggle.
     
  16. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    I was going to suggest backing the adjustment off until the throwout bearing isn't touching and fire the car up. Crawl under it while its running and see if its turning and if the noise changes at all.

    Some whining is noticeable in all manual transmission cars when idling in neutral. After all the input shaft and cluster gear are still spinning. I wouldn't lose too much sleep unless its really loud. I can hear mine and its a brand new autogear 4 speed..
     
  17. GNSX

    GNSX Well-Known Member

    How should I adjust pedal engagement?
     
  18. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    Well ideally by threading out an 1/8" to 1/4" of threads on the adjuster in the photo, but I'm not seeing any extra threads.... :idea2:
     
  19. GNSX

    GNSX Well-Known Member

    As it sits engine running at idle in neutral the bearing turns with the engine. Move the fork out and separate the bearing from the engine and it stops turning and the noise is less. I backed out the adjuster a full turn and it doesn't seem to be as hard to shift. Goes in to gear much easier. The noise is greatly reduced.
     
  20. TheSilverBuick

    TheSilverBuick In the Middle of No Where

    Looks like the spring in the picture isn't doing it's job well enough to pull the throwout bearing far enough back.
     

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