So.. Rumbling noises started to come from the transmission area only when the clutch pedal was up. When I push the clutch pedal down, the noise would stop.

One week before this noise happened, my clutch fluid was low and my clutch would catch almost immediately when I let the pedal back up.
I topped off the fluid and thought nothing of it..
Until the rumbling noise started.
So I took the car to the dealer on Monday.
I told them to change the brake fluid, check for leaks because I had to top off the clutch fluid, and check the clutch and fix my winshield washer sprayer.

They said my clutch master cylinder was leaking so I ordered one from Prostreet. I ordered the $95 one instead of the $70 one thinking "you get what you pay for"

$760 later, they took out the transmission and found out that the clutch broke a spring retainer and I needed a new clutch and pressure plate.

I guess the spring retainer is a common problem for the OEM clutch because the same thing happened to me at 47k miles. I have 145k miles now. I think I was easier on this clutch (no double clutching all the time). So that's the good news..
The bad news was that the transmission was making a ticking noise when you spun it by hand. They recommended that I come down and hear the noise too.. They also recommended cracking the tranny case open for $190.
I spun the thing and it sounded bad. Long story short, My mainshaft bearing blew itself up and the mechanic removed pieces from the casing.
Rather than replace all 7 bearings, I'm having them replace 4 bearings - 1 mainshaft bearing, another mainshaft bearing that could've taken abuse, 1 other bearing because it had a little bit of drag and 1 small bearing because it was suspect to abuse.

I ordered a Prostreet Exedy Organic Clutch & Flywheel kit.. And paid to have it overnighted for $157..

I hope this is a good kit and hope that the spring retainers will last longer than OEM.... I put a ton of highway miles on my car and my clutch still had about 90% meat on it. 1st clutch died at 47k from abuse (double clutching all the time). second clutch just died at 144k from who knows what..

Total damage to my wallet ----- $2280 !!

Well. That's my story.. I'm feeling a little sad now..
but eager to get my car back.




Modified by arren123 at 6:13 PM 10/25/2006