Squeaky noise when clutch applied???

[camon]

Hows it going everyone?

Not sure if I have anything to worry about or not, just thought I would post about a little noise I have recently noticed!

When I drive my 01 GT (TR3650), after I press the clutch a few times I hear what can be best described as a squeak/ faint whine noise. Not sure if the clutch is showing signs a wear or what!

When the car is first started and driven it is fine, after about 5 minutes I start hearing a faint whine/ squeak noise only when I push the clutch in. Once the clutch pedal is to the floor the noise stops (sounds like a squeaky cable or something when pushing the pedal in). It doesn't make any noise while shifting into gear and releasing the clutch pedal (only pushing the pedal in)!

I was thinking it might be the cable, until I noticed if the car isn't running, I don't hear the noise! I did my best to lube it anyway....but it still does it!

I don't notice any difference in the way the clutch is operating and the car shifts fine, and no other noise can be heard from the clutch or tranny (well a little 5th gear whine through the shifter.....damn Pro 5.0 Short throw, it's done it since the shifter was installed)!

The only thing that I did recently was change tranny fluid (about 3-4 weeks ago).
I used Pennzoil Syncromesh orginally, but drained because I didn't like the shifter feel. So I put in Motorcraft Mercon V (3.4 quarts). I has been acting fine, until 3 days ago when I noticed the faint noise!

Not sure if I have something to worry about or not, you can't hear it at all if the stereo is on!

Maybe i'm being paranoid!

What do you guys think?

 

[tonytaylor85]

My first guess is the bearing retainer. Its where the throwout bearing slides back and forth. Are you *sure* the noise goes away when the engine isn't running? What I am talking about happens regardless of the engine running. If you have the money, its a good idea to start planning on replacing the clutch if it has never been done. There are several good clutches out there, but I *highly* recommend getting a Ford Racing throwout bearing. Be sure to pack it with a good wheel bearing grease. Mine is squeaking and its only got 10k miles on it Also make sure the clutch is not over-adjusted for the first couple hundred miles if you replace it. This is what I think started my TOB squeak.

 

[camon]

Thanks for the reply tonytaylor!

It's a strange noise to say the least and it is very faint!

I do not hear the noise when the car is not running nor do you hear it when you first start driving (only after about 5 minutes). As stated previously....it only squeaks while you are pushing the pedal in. No noise while the pedal is held to the floor or while releasing the pedal. With the car off you can press the clutch pedal as much as you want and the noise is not present!

How much would I be looking at (ball park estimate) to get a clutch installed?

Thanks again!

 

[trombonedemon]

Yea, Tonytaylor is right. The price would go around 75 dollars a hour, more or less, depending on whom you get to do the install. Including parts, go and see if you can get the part on ebay, that knocks out the mark-up considerably! IMO, get yourself a chilton or haynes guide, just to see what you are in store for. Stangnet

 

[tonytaylor85]

I am happy with my Spec Stage 2. It was $330. I got a used aluminum flywheel for $50 (+$35 to get it machined) and installed it all myself. Stay away from the Spec Stage 1. Mine was toast after 5k miles. Also worth mentioning is the 03/04 Cobra replacement from Ford Racing for $270 and I hear nothing but great things about them. I don't think they come with throwout or pilot bearings. That's another $70 but they are better parts. You can reuse your flywheel, just be sure to get it turned.

 

[camon]

Thanks again for the replies!

I have a Haynes manual and a Ford Service manual CD. So I should have all the info needed.

I have a garage, compresser and the tools that I would need so I may try this myself, limited clearence with dropping the tranny is what concerns me most. Not to mention getting the tranny back in the car and making sure everything is adjusted correctly is another concern (never messed with a tranny or clutch before)!

I might make some phone calls on Moday and see what some quotes are!

Thanks again!

 

[tonytaylor85]

Things that are a headache when dropping a New Edge 5 speed:
1. starter bolt that has 4 inches of threads and enough room to do 1/12 of a turn at a time
2. outside pass side exhaust nut. the rest are easy to get to. this one takes the perfect combo of swivels and extensions.
3. getting the pilot bearing out. this is for all manual transmissions.
4. unplugging upstream O2 sensors. I ended up unthreading it and unclipping it once i had everything out.
5. driveshaft flange bolts- use a torch to break the grip of the threadlocker. Be gentle! don't want to ruin the shield or the seal on the pinion.
6. you WILL spill transmission fluid. you WILL curse because even though you drained all 3.3 qts, somehow there was 5 gallons left in there.
7. You are likely to break your motor mounts if you don't loosen them all up.

So nothing major, just plan on a weekend if its your first time and you are doing it on ramps or jackstands. I can have it apart and back together in about 6 hours but I've done it a few times and have the luxury of a pit.

 

[camon]

Ahhhh, a pit, I knew something was missing from my garage!

The bright-side (hopefully), is that I should have a little time to plan this out! It only started making the faint squeal noise a couple days ago (i'm very observent, noise is so faint it would be easy to miss), so hopefully I caught the early signs which may give me a few months to decide if a shop will do this or if i'll try to save myself a few hundred and do it myself!

I could have a major hurdle that some don't (not sure I never did this job before) which may force my hand into taking it to a garage.
My car has LT Headers and they look like they will need to come off to drop the tranny because the headers look like they run under the tranny edges (heck I could only see 2 manifold studs, it's real tight up under there).

Have a great night all!

 

[tonytaylor85]

Headers would almost certainly have to come off. That doesn't sound like fun.