Sound expensive

Kurt B · 12-05-2005, 12:28 PM

Driving the 3.2 around and it began acting sort of odd and refused to into gear. It acted as though the clutch would not let go even though the pedal was all the way down; it would grind when I attemptd to shift.

But it was definitely actuating the clutch...checked that.
I needed to get home, so I did ye old, put it in gear and just drive it. However, after driving for a bit, it righted itself. Whatever was blocking the clutch from disengaging moved around, and after a bit, I could shift normally.

But after I put it in gear thereafter, it would "grind" when starting off. Like something was grinding against something else in the are down there. Only when the clutch first starts to engage though...during normal operation (foot all the way off the pedal and moving), no noise.

This grinding is not a grinding caused by trying to shift. It's coming when you first start off from a dead stop, and you let the clutch pedal off slowly and the car starts to move, then there's a rubbing/grinding (very loud), coming from the tranny area.

I have no clue what this is...any ideas?

creaturecat · 12-05-2005, 12:35 PM

throwout bearing?

dlrnzo · dlrnzo's Garage

I agree, definetly your TB. Dont drive it! I had a '83 SC and ignored it too long. It eventually completely failed and destroyed everthing in its path. $2000+ repair years agao.
FD

Kurt B · 12-05-2005, 12:48 PM

Thanks...it's parked now...drove it that way for a few weeks though since some @sshole broke into my C2, slashing the plastic window....hopefully, i can get it taken care of. When it trashed everything, what happened? You just opened it up and found everthing trashed, or it just went completely kerplunk?

dlrnzo · dlrnzo's Garage

No it completely crumbled while I was underway and ripped my pressure plate, starter, etc.
All my fault. Just cried and wrote a check.

johncarlos2003 · 12-05-2005, 12:56 PM

What is the story with the update tb? i know that this is supposed to be done when doing your first clutch job on a 3.2- any info? thanks

johncarlos2003 · 12-05-2005, 12:59 PM

Hey kurt- was this only happening when in first and getting going or was it happening in low rpm's in all or more than first gear?

Kurt B · 12-06-2005, 12:41 PM

happen in any gear when you're first starting off; if you were moving at all or even slightly down hill, it did not happen. Also, happend much more and louder after the car had been driven abit. Didn't happen at all when the car was cold (like when you first start off after starting)..but within 2 minutes it would be happening...thanks guys. I will not drive it again until I get in there!

JP911 · JP911's Garage

Sounds like a failed throwout bearing (or is it the pilot bearing?). Exact same thing happened to one of the OC Pelicans in the middle of a drive. Was much cheaper to fix than what it sounded like.

mschuep · 12-06-2005, 04:29 PM

I have my engine dropped and clutch apart for similar noise/syptoms/cause. When I got in there I realized the clutch needed some more work so I am replacing just about everything (Pelican super clutch kit). You can see the t/o bearing is most likely the noise-maker. Here is a link with a couple pics.

Clutch Job Decision, Pics

-Matt

masraum · 12-06-2005, 04:38 PM

THe original update was to drill out one of the ears that the clutch release fork is held by to put in a larger bearing. I'd avoid that route and go with the new update which is to swap out the old needle bearings for brass bushings. It requires no drilling. Since I've seen a handful of the drilled ears break I'd hate to remove any material there. There's no guaranty that they break because they've been drilled, but if they may have a tendency to break it seems likely that drilling the metal thinner would increase the tendency.

dtw · 12-06-2005, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlrnzo
All my fault. Just cried and wrote a check.

I just laughed my ass off at that comment. Believe, me not laughing at you...it was laughter of empathy and commiseration. Very good stuff.

69T3.2LRacer · 69T3.2LRacer's Garage

When I press the clutch I am also noticing wierd sounds coming from what I think is the throwout bearing too. The thing is that my engine was out less than 4000 miles ago. Its not loud yet but its going to be something I am going to need to deal with sooner or later.

johncarlos2003 · 12-07-2005, 09:53 AM

I just put in a brand new clutch kit as I was the victim of the rubber disk "exploding" sending bits and pieces all over- this happened at 67k but im back up and running- thank goodness. good luck to all you clutchers out there- id go the non drill route too if doing the update- had a recent conversation with don at aurel & don's in north hollywood- he reallly knows his stuff and has worked on seinfeld's cars etc- he owns an 87 coupe and says that the update is not always needed provided the original components look good and they sometimes do according to him- this was the first time ive heard that but im no expert- anyway, his shop is top notch so thought id pass along that tid bit-

johncarlos2003 · 12-07-2005, 09:54 AM

one more thing- id suggest using spring clutch dist vs. the rubber- i think it's actually cheaper too but recommeded- anyway . . .

Grady Clay · 12-07-2005, 10:15 AM

One of the diagnostic points:

If the noise is sensitive to clutch actuation = clutch release bearing.

If the noise is sensitive to applied engine torque = pilot bearing.

While these aren’t hard-‘n-fast rules, it is a reasonable indication. A pilot bearing failure is actually more serious. It can damage the transmission input shaft. This could conceivably involve a transmission rebuild and replacing the (expensive) input shaft/1st gear set. This is why you replace that simple little pilot bearing at every opportunity.

Best,
Grady