I just picked up a 98 EX a week ago. Last night, I started my car, and put it in nuetral (clutch not pushed in). I heard a chirping/squeeking sound. It goes away when I lightly push on the clutch. My first thought – throw out bearing.

Do you think that's the problem? The car has 55,000 miles on it.

 

Anyone?

 

throw out bearing.

 

Okay, back from vacation, so I'm going to bring this up again.

So mostly likely (from the people I've talked to) it is the throw out bearing. Is this something that I should have replaced ASAP, or something that is just going to make noise till I replace it? I had my TO bearing go in my SE-R when I had it, but it was under warranty...

 

If I remember correctly the throw-out bearing should be noticed when depressing the clutch. If the noise is there when the clutch is left alone it is something else....


Yup, That is correct, when I was trouble shooting my tranny.......that is how we diagnosied it not the throw-out.


EDIT: Have you tried testing the clutch? (25mph + 5th Gear + WOT = steady RPM) if the RPM's rise the clutch is slipping.


[Modified by Spade, 8:52 AM 7/8/2002]

 

I'm pretty sure the clutch isn't slipping – when I bought the car, I ran it through the first three gears pretty hard, and I can easily chip the tires in second gear. The car has 55,000 miles on it by the way.

My friend (who just put a new clutch in his EK) thought it might be the pilot bearing.

 

The release (throwout) bearing is slightly preloaded against the clutch fingers when the clutch is fully engaged (pedal released.) So, if you hear sqeaking, and it goes away when you press the pedal, it's likely due to the bearing sliding across the fingers instead of spinning. This is indicative of a worn bearing, or insufficient preload. The preload is determined by the release system, which may also be relaxing and allowing the sliding contact. But I would guess the bearing is simply going bad.

The problem with this is that it is generating heat, and wearing at your clutch fingers. This could cause problems down the road, like your clutch failing!

It's not likely the pilot bearing, as when the clutch is engaged (pedal released) there is no relative motion between the inputshaft and pilot bearing to cause noise.

 

Thanks a lot guys! Lots of good info.