Odd clutch noice

[PurpleMystique]

I've noticed this noise over the past month or two. At first occasionally, and now very often when I let out the clutch to go forward or in reverse, I hear a noise and vibration in the clutch pedal. It's not really a grinding sound, more like a pulling a heavy table across a hard floor. It happens quite often when starting off, and very occasionally during the shift into second. I first noticed it when I installed my 94a-filled rear RR and it's gotten worse since then. At this point it's loud enough that people turn and look at my car as it's pulling away...not the reason I want people looking at my car.

I'm almost positive it's not the RR itself, as I've made certain it's tightened down. I had a SPEC stage 1 installed when I had my 3.0 done last January that I broke in correctly and took to the drag strip once. That's all I know, though. Any suggestions?

 

[SVT_Fan]

Does the durometer of the roll restrictor look damaged -- it sounds like tip in clunk which is usually a rr issue.

Also, you can rule out the clutch itself by doing a clutch dump, i.e., ensuring no clutch slip or weird engagement issue at the worse case condition.

 

[PurpleMystique]

Does the durometer of the roll restrictor look damaged -- it sounds like tip in clunk which is usually a rr issue.

Also, you can rule out the clutch itself by doing a clutch dump, i.e., ensuring no clutch slip or weird engagement issue at the worse case condition.

There are no clutch engagement issues - it grabs fine. It's definitely not a "clunk" sound - more of a scraping that happens during the entire duration of the clutch engagement.

 

[tropictour]

I have the same thing happening with my clutch. Its a SPEC stg. 1 with about 7k on it. Its really wierd like the parking brake is on. Any thoughts?
-tropictour

 

[CSVT_2004]

I hear this noise sometimes when I put my car in neutral, (stock clutch) sometimes when I let the clutch out it makes a chatter I usually push it in and let it back out again and goes away.... I'm sure there is someone who can explain it that just needs to chime in.... not sure if it's related...

 

[morbid]

I could be totally off, but from what I've read here.. that might be the sound of a failing throw out bearing.

 

[BrApple]

I hear this noise sometimes when I put my car in neutral, (stock clutch) sometimes when I let the clutch out it makes a chatter I usually push it in and let it back out again and goes away.... I'm sure there is someone who can explain it that just needs to chime in.... not sure if it's related...

"chatter" with the clutch out and the car in neutral is gear roll over noise.

clutch chatter is vibration on clutch engagement. now my spec stage 3+ has alittle clutch chatter at times when I engage the clutch.

I would agree with the tob possibly being bad. the only time it is suppose to spin is when the clutch is released, ie when shifting or stopped with the car in gear. all other times when the clutch pedal is out it isn't suppose to be in contact with the PP.

 

[PurpleMystique]

I hear the chatter when in neutral with the clutch out, and I occasionally have shuddering when letting the clutch out, but this is a different noise entirely.

 

[BrApple]

I hear the chatter when in neutral with the clutch out

that is not chatter, its gear roll over noise ....

CLUTCH CHATTER


Chattering is a grabbing or jerking condition that occurs when the clutch is engaged. It is often caused by oil or grease on the clutch linings, but it also can be caused by the following conditions:

• Burned or glazed linings;
• A warped or grooved flywheel;
• Missing flywheel dowel pins;
• A worn pilot bearing/bushing;
• A worn bearing retainer;
• Worn or damaged clutch disc or input shaft splines;
• Bent or broken drive straps on the clutch;
• A bent or distorted clutch disc;
• A loose clutch cover; or
• Missing flywheel dowel pins.

External causes of clutch chatter include loose or broken engine or transmission mounts, misalignment of the chassis and drivetrain components, worn or damaged U-joints or CV joints, a loose transmission crossmember, a worn or bent release fork, or loose rear left spring bushings or spring U-bolt nuts.


CLUTCH NOISE PROBLEMS
Squeals and growls usually are caused by worn or seized bearings. Chirping noises are most often caused by vibration somewhere in the clutch actuator mechanism.


Causes of internal clutch noise include:

• Worn or defective input shaft bearing;
• Defective or misaligned release bearing;
• Worn, misaligned or improperly lubricated pilot bearing/bushing;
• Worn, bent or improperly lubricated release fork;
• Worn input shaft;
• Improper disc installation;
• Misalignment;
• Damaged bearing retainer;
• Loose flywheel bolts; or
• Damaged disc splines, worn stop pins or a broken damper.

Possible external causes of clutch noise include:

• Incorrect release system adjustment;
• Worn driveshaft or halfshaft components;
• Worn engine or transmission mounts;
• Broken cable self-adjuster; or

• Worn or improperly lubricated clutch pedal components.

To find out what is causing the noise, set the parking brake, place the vehicle in neutral and start the engine.
If you hear growling or grinding noises when the clutch is engaged, the cause is the transmission input shaft bearing.
A squealing sound that occurs when the clutch pedal is depressed and held is usually caused by a bad pilot bearing or bushing.
A chirping noise that intensifies when the pedal is slowly depressed would indicate a bad release bearing.
If you hear chirping while idling in neutral and the noise goes away when the pedal is slowly depressed, the fork/pivot ball contact point is making the noise.

from: http://www.aa1car.com/library/2002/ic100237.htm

 

[FauxhawkFox]

I have the exact same thing, I have a SPEC 2. Thats a good example of the sound, moving a table across a hard wood floor. Its only happened just recently. It only happens in the morning when the car is cold. Once I leave my neighborhood it goes away.

 

[BrApple]

I have the exact same thing, I have a SPEC 2. Thats a good example of the sound, moving a table across a hard wood floor. Its only happened just recently. It only happens in the morning when the car is cold. Once I leave my neighborhood it goes away.

from what I have read hear a moaning or groaning type noise is typical with a stage 2 because it is made of kevlar.

 

[PurpleMystique]

that is not chatter, its gear roll over noise ....

from: http://www.aa1car.com/library/2002/ic100237.htm

I have none of those. There is a very very faint clickety-clack audible when the car is in neutral and the clutch pedal is out. When I push the clutch pedal in, it goes away.

My "scraping" or "groaning" sound happens when the car is both warm and cold, but never consistently. It went away for most of last week, only to come back with a vengeance this weekend.

 

[CSVT_2004]

"chatter" with the clutch out and the car in neutral is gear roll over noise.

So... the noise I hear is typical.... if I'm understanding you right? (I hope)

Also my car makes this, as best as I can describe it, shearing sound when starting sometimes, or maybe all the time? It's really easy to hear when you go through drive thrus since the sound bounces off the wall. It also sounds like if you were to take a rusty tail pipe, drag it on gravel and start slow then speed up then stop. I'll make a vid if this description doesn't help....

 

[PurpleMystique]

So... the noise I hear is typical.... if I'm understanding you right? (I hope)

Yes, the noise that goes away when you push the clutch pedal in is normal.

I happened upon a thread with the exact same problem:

http://contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=14367

No firm solution, though. Next chance I get I'm going to top off my trans fluid and super-tighten my rear RR.

 

[CSVT_2004]

I want to say mine is kinda like that, in the hot/cold aspect at least.. but I can't remember a 100%.... I want to say when I drive it hard the noise never happens.... but just short trips it's noticeable.... maybe that's the only way to fix it... let the car warm up...