Where exactly do I lube my TOB to get it to stop squeaking?

[yellowstang1994]

Hi guys, I did a Ford HD clutch install 1500 miles ago. The steel Ford TOB started that annoying squeak when the clutch pedal isn't pressed in. Not even 1000mi had it started. Thats the same p/n TOB that came off my car before and that one had 100k on it and never squeaked at all so I figured it was a good bearing to go with. I might not of lubed it up enough when I put it on. Anyway, I got a really fine grease gun fitting and an extended hose to get up in there. But before I do, where exactly should I lube? Is it the bearing retainer shaft I want to put some on? And then disengage/engage the clutch a few times to lube the retainer up? Also I used lithium based grease before, it says it can withstand really high temps and stuff. Should I stick with that or find a different grease. I don't think it's the white you guys were talking about.

 

[94gts]

my king cobra tob went to crap too. i think the only way is to get a new tob. specifically a stock ford piece which is what i bought.

 

[yellowstang1994]

The TOB isn't that old though only 1k on it, I installed it last month. The plastic SPEC one I had didn't squeak at all. This was my 2nd clutch install in a 2month period and there is no way i'm pulling the tranny again to replace the damn TOB, lol.

 

[94gts]

i know mine started squeaking after like 100 miles

 

[Uncle Log]

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19954

 

[yellowstang1994]

OK, I read it again.

A couple days later I sprayed white lithium grease into the bearing, and on the surface of the clutch fork and a little (carefully) where the bearing and pressure plate meet. White Lithium grease sprays as a liquid, flows on/into the part, and solidifies. I repeat the whole process every two oil changes and now i have no noise, and the clutch still works great at 48000 miles. Just be careful not to get any inside the pressure plate where it could get on the disc. I spray a lot of white grease on the bearing, because it can just sling the extra off without getting on the clutch. But let it sit about an hour for the grease to set up before driving, and once you crank the car work the clutch for a minute or so. Also, try spraying the grease as soon as you get home, while everything is still hot, that way the grease can flow better into the parts.

This white lithium grease he speaks of? Can I get it in some kind of spray can or something? Or is it for a grease gun where you apply it? The reason I ask is because it seems as though he has some sort of spray can but I cant find one anywhere in the parts store.

 

[94-302-vert]

Yep, white lithium grease comes in a spray can. the can I have is black and about the same size as the medium WD-40 can. I probbably bought it at Wal-mart.

Chris

 

[Uncle Log]

Autozone has it. Green can w/ yellow lettering and white cap.

 

[yellowstang1994]

Cool thanks for all your help guys, i really appreciate it.

 

[Scot_94GT]

Are you sure it is not the ball joint on the end of the clutch fork that is squeaking? That's what was squeaking on mine...found that out after I pulled the tranny and bellhousing. It would squeak when my foot was off the clutch, but then If I just barely put a little pressure on the clutch, it would stop squeaking. Also, the clutch would make a creaking sound when I push it in...like a rusty door hinge...the ball joint was the culprit of that noise also.

 

[HISSIN50]

white lithium should work well for ya. i do it every now and again (on the retainer - my fox still has an alum one).

good luck.

 

[CBZGT50]

My Cobra squeeked and I repaced the TB with a Ford OEM TB ($38) and the next day it squeeked again. I once again pulled the tranny, and found that the aluminum bearing retainer was scored and out of round, I replaced it with a steel retainer and another TB just in case. No problems since. I would concentrate on the bearing retainer. Change it to steel.


CB

 

[HISSIN50]

I would concentrate on the bearing retainer. Change it to steel.


CB

i think SN's come with steel TOB retainers stock.

 

[CBZGT50]

i think SN's come with steel TOB retainers stock.

If the retainer was steel, it was crap because it was scored and oval. I have the Cobra tranny too. Once I put the actual Ford steel retainer in with a small amout of grease, it had no further problems, except me. I was just pissed because I bought the car this way and thought it just needed a TB. Well I ended up pulling the trans 3 times before getting it right. Some how the second time either I did not put the bearing on the fork right or it jumped out of the clips and was ticking on the PP. I pulled the tranny again and fixed it right and resurfaced the flywheel while the tranny was out. I put in a King Cobra clutch the 2nd time and now the clutch is Puuuuuurfect. I am now a pro at removing the T-5 and can do it in about a one half hour including the exhaust portion.

I think the bearing retainer is a big problem in the sn-95 cars because my friends 95 GT squeeks too.

 

[mo_dingo]

Yep, my stock one came out in multiple pieces, all steel...lol

Take some wheel bearing grease, and apply it where it touches the pressure plate fingers.

Also, make sure that the TOB isn't touching the PP fingers when the clutch is all the way out. If it is, then will be spinning all the time, and prematurely wear out.
Scott

 

[ARBOC]

Mine squeaks also. I hate it.

 

[Drunk5oh]

mine chirps when im not on the clutch.

 

[CBZGT50]

I'm tellin ya'all it is the bearing retainer, not the bearing. I just spent two months figuring that out and pulled the tranny three times to get the squeek to go away. You need to replace the retainer with a new steel retainer. Even if you have a steel retainer, it still needs to be replaced.

 

[yellowstang1994]

My old retainer was scored *slightly* I was afraid to change it out because of all the shimming and talk about the input shaft falling into the tranny etc... so I decided to lightly sand the scoring out and then grease it with a orderly amount. The TOB seemed to move fine on the retainer so I figured it would be alright. I don't see why the retainer would cause it to make the noise that it does. I figured if it was a problem I would have problems disengaging the clutch because the scoring would cause the TOB to not move properly on it and be harder to disengage. Though all that seems fine.