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Driving a car with a manual transmission can be a lot of fun. It’s perhaps the most engaged type of driving – connecting you with the car in a very visceral way. However, drivers with manual transmissions face problems that rarely occur for drivers who have an automatic. Clutch wear and tear is one of those (all clutches wear out, and automatic transmissions use them too, but the incidence of wear is less). If you’ve noticed a loud noise when using the clutch, there’s definitely a problem, but it could be one of several different things.
While manual transmissions have become more advanced in the last couple of decades, they’re still simpler to understand than automatics. One of the most easily understood aspects here is how the clutch works. It’s all about friction – and it’s pretty similar to the way your brakes work, too.
When you press the clutch pedal, it engages the clutch to allow you to shift gears. The clutch presses against the flywheel, and the friction material on the clutch stops the transmission from spinning. When you let off the pedal, the clutch disengages, and the transmission is free to spin with the engine.
Operating the clutch requires having working bearings – this applies to both engaging (pressing the pedal in) and disengaging (letting off on the pedal). There are several bearings here as well, including the throw out bearing and pilot bearing.
Worn Throw Out Bearing: If you notice the noise from your clutch when you release the pedal, chances are good that the throw out bearing is failing and will need to be replaced.
Worn Pilot Bearing: If you notice noise when you press the clutch pedal in, the most likely culprit is the pilot bearing, which will need to be replaced.
Worn Release Bearing: Another possible cause of noise when pressing the clutch pedal in is the release bearing. If it’s making noise, then the bearing is failing and will need to be replaced.
Worn Clutch: It’s also possible that the clutch itself is worn and will need to be replaced. These are high wear components and need to be replaced on a regular basis. However, the frequency of replacement will depend on your driving style and habits. When replacing the clutch, it may also be necessary to have the flywheel resurfaced.
Worn Input Bearing: If the noise happens when the car is in neutral and you are not using the clutch at all, the most likely cause is the input bearing, which is located inside the transmission.
A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to inspect the clutch and transmission operation and verify the problem. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.
One of our mechanics will inspect your clutch operation in order to verify the noise and determine the correct course of action. A test drive may be necessary to duplicate the noise. Once the mechanic has ascertained the cause of the problem, a repair can be made.
If your clutch is making noise during use, it’s more than just an embarrassing annoyance. It’s a sign that there’s something going wrong. The most common problems to fit these symptoms are failed bearings (pilot, throw out and release), but a worn clutch can also cause similar issues. One of our professional mechanics can determine the actual cause of your problem and repair your clutch so you can get back on the road and enjoy peace of mind.
Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.