Clutch squeak

Johnny C · Feb 22, 2010

I've had a problem with the clutch squeaking.

It doesn't do it all the time. It's when I'm engaging first or reverse, and only right at the top when I am releasing the pedal (i.e. when it's more or less fully in gear). It only seems to be when the clutch release is quite gentle, when pulling away at lights ina queue of traffic. If I give it welly fora quick start there's no noise. The pitch of the noise is constant, i.e. it doesn't change depending on revs or how fast the clutch has been engaged.

I took it in and had the clutch replaced, but it's not cured the noise.

Has anyone got any ideas as to cause/cure?

Cheers

John Maddox · Feb 22, 2010

It doesn't sound like the release bearing but it would be worth checking it was replaced when the clutch done. Was all the clutch replaced or just the worn parts ?

I would start at the pedal and lubricate the mechanism carefully removing the wooden floor cover that hides the mechanism to get to it all. Pay attention to the condition of the rubber gaiter on the master cylinder piston lever as this often splits and lets in dirt.

If that doesn't cure it then the slave cylinder on top of the gearbox will have to be checked.

Johnny C · Feb 22, 2010

Hi John

It was the whole clutch (exluding flywheel), and the clutch line too. Some oil had leaked into the unit but that was cleaned too.

My first thought was the release bearing when it went in, as the squeal can last 2-3 secs, but the spring was on it's way out too. I'll have to take it back in anyway as the problem hasn't been fixd so they can check the master/slave whilst they are at it.

John Maddox · Feb 22, 2010

Let us know how you get on - hopefully they will soon sort it out.

Johnny C · Feb 23, 2010

I will do. It's now changed, the squeal is happening after the clutch is fully released and making a variety of sounds. I get plenty of chance to analyse it on the M62 at the moment with all the roadworks

(

John Maddox · Feb 23, 2010

I'm sure you will have considered the belts but it's odd the noise is there when clutch released.
Spraying a bit of wd40 on the belts stops noise long enough to test it.

Johnny C · Feb 23, 2010

I'll check it tonight, but it doesn't sound like a rubber belt, more of a metallic sound. When belts have gone in the past, the squeal has varied gradually in pitch as it grips, whereas this is constant tone which changes suddenly then changes back again. You never know though, a check that saves a cheque is always worth doing

)

The thrust release bearing was changed as it's part of the clutch kit, so I'm baffled.

Johnny C · Feb 25, 2010

The sound changed on the way home on Tuesday and became a belt squeak. It got far worse yesterday, it was squeaking in higher gears and then squeaking more or less all the time by the time I got home last night. A quick look under the boot whilst the engine was still running showed the alternator belt was hopping around, so it went in and had it fixed this morning and now sounds like it should. I guess that it was probably not at it's best any more, and the improved response from a new clutch sent it into 'fix me quick' territory.

The alternator went about 3 years ago at J10 on the M62 just as it snarls up in the morning. I got into work in Manchester- lights off, radio off, fan off and swearing evey time the traffic stopped - and it literally limped into the car park and died. I'm not risking a journey like that again hence had it in this morning asap.