I have a '91 z28 Convertible. For some reason my clutch makes a squeaking noise when I push it in. It doesn't happen if I have been using it for a while. It is usually when I drive it after letting it sit for a few hours or more. Any ideas on how I could permanently fix this problem?

Fretman2@aol.com

Cameron

 

You could replace the throwout bearing. It's the bearing that connects the rotating parts of the clutch connected to the engine to the non-rotating parts connected to your foot.

Odds are, if the throwout bearing is noisy and you haven't ever replaced the clutch, the clutch is probably near the end of its life. If I was going to go to the trouble or expense (depending on who's doing the work) of changing the throwout, I'd do the whole thing while I was there, so I wouldn't have to do it again next month when the clutch completely gives up the ghost.

 

My car only has 27,000 miles on it. Is it normal to replace the clutch that early?

Fretman2@aol.com

Cameron

 

No.

 

Mine is doing that too but just when it's pretty cold outside and just the first few times I use the clutch, and I have 150,000 miles on the stock clutch. I let a friend who is a truck mechanic and who works on all types of manual transmissions listen to it and he said it sounded like the pilot bearing had run out of oil and was running dry, and since the input shaft only spins in the bearing when the clutch is pushed in that sounds about right to me. I would not worry about it till it does a lot more than just squeak a little bit

 

My 15k mile car is doing the same thing... on a cold start, when I push the clutch in a very noticeable "creak" or metallic "groan" happens when I push the clutch pedal in. It engages perfectly with great feel and no slipping. Once the car warms up, the sound is gone.

And yes I know this is a 2002 thread!