Stranded...Maybe?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Concord, California
Stranded...Maybe?
I am 70 miles from home. It Labor Day, so I'm hoping I might get a reply or suggestion.
My 1988 is making a noise I've never heard. It's a manual transmission. If I'm in nuetral and put it into 1st or any gear including reverse, there is a high pitch almost scretching sound that doesn't sound too good. If I'm in nuetral, the nose is gone.
Any ideas? Should I drive home 70 miles with this nasty noise?
Thanks!!!
My 1988 is making a noise I've never heard. It's a manual transmission. If I'm in nuetral and put it into 1st or any gear including reverse, there is a high pitch almost scretching sound that doesn't sound too good. If I'm in nuetral, the nose is gone.
Any ideas? Should I drive home 70 miles with this nasty noise?
Thanks!!!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Sounds like a throwout bearing. Does it make the noise with the clutch engaged (up) or disengaged (down)?
[edit] Noises of this nature are usually one of two things....input shaft bearing in the transmission, or throwout bearing in the clutch. One usually present with clutch engaged and the other with it disengaged.
[edit] Noises of this nature are usually one of two things....input shaft bearing in the transmission, or throwout bearing in the clutch. One usually present with clutch engaged and the other with it disengaged.
Last edited by Frizlefrak; Sep 6, 2010 at 02:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
Sounds like a throwout bearing. Does it make the noise with the clutch engaged (up) or disengaged (down)?
[edit] Noises of this nature are usually one of two things....input shaft bearing in the transmission, or throwout bearing in the clutch. One usually present with clutch engaged and the other with it disengaged.
[edit] Noises of this nature are usually one of two things....input shaft bearing in the transmission, or throwout bearing in the clutch. One usually present with clutch engaged and the other with it disengaged.
Let us know if the noise is associate with the Clutch use.
If the noise start/stops when you first are using the clutch...it could be TO bearing.
If you press the clutch down all the way.....the noise stops....then when you start to release the pedal the squeal comes.....It could be the Pilot Bearing.
Both answers mean the same thing....you'll have to pull the tranny and clutch out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
Sounds like a throwout bearing. Does it make the noise with the clutch engaged (up) or disengaged (down)?
[edit] Noises of this nature are usually one of two things....input shaft bearing in the transmission, or throwout bearing in the clutch. One usually present with clutch engaged and the other with it disengaged.
[edit] Noises of this nature are usually one of two things....input shaft bearing in the transmission, or throwout bearing in the clutch. One usually present with clutch engaged and the other with it disengaged.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
I forgot to answer one of your original queries.....That's kind of a loaded question without us actually hearing the noise in question. A dying throwout bearing will really only affect operation when using the clutch....unless it seizes completely, then it can tear things up. A pilot bushing can tear up the input shaft....so many variables.
If it were me, I'd drive it home unless it got a lot worse in a big hurry. Then again, I do my own wrenching, and can usually tell when something serious is about to happen.....I don't know what your particular skill level is on this. If you aren't comfortable, or are scared of doing more damage, flatbed it home. Also....are we talking 70 miles with several towns in between.....or like we have out here, 70 miles of absolutely nothing but rattlesnakes?
Judgement call. Good luck
If it were me, I'd drive it home unless it got a lot worse in a big hurry. Then again, I do my own wrenching, and can usually tell when something serious is about to happen.....I don't know what your particular skill level is on this. If you aren't comfortable, or are scared of doing more damage, flatbed it home. Also....are we talking 70 miles with several towns in between.....or like we have out here, 70 miles of absolutely nothing but rattlesnakes?
Judgement call. Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 7
From: Morgan Hill and Marina California
If it was the input shaft bearing, it would make the
noise any time the clutch pedal was up, including
neutral. Since it doesn't make the noise in neutral, it's
not the input shaft bearing.
And were are you at? Maybe somebody can help. (I'm
in Morgan Hill, which is right at 70 miles from Concord).
Chuck
noise any time the clutch pedal was up, including
neutral. Since it doesn't make the noise in neutral, it's
not the input shaft bearing.
And were are you at? Maybe somebody can help. (I'm
in Morgan Hill, which is right at 70 miles from Concord).
Chuck
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 32,989
Likes: 6,521
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Originally Posted by Frizlefrak
Also....are we talking 70 miles with several towns in between.....or like we have out here, 70 miles of absolutely nothing but rattlesnakes?
Good luck and let us know the result!
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 441
Likes: 2
From: Morristown TN
If it starts to make the noise as soon as you begin pressing the clutch pedal and feel resistance, then its likely the throwout bearing. The TOB touches the pressureplate as soon as you begin to press the pedal, and continues doing so until you let all the way off the pedal.
If it only makes the noise with the pedal mostly fully depressed, it's more likely the pilot bearing. The pilot bearing is only "in use" once the pressure plate has released the clutch disc...which happens near the bottom of the pedal stroke. Once the pedal begins to travel upward again, the pressureplate clamps on the disc again, and the pilot bearing becomes inactive once again.
Also, it is possible to drive a manual trans car without using the clutch to shift, by rev matching and "feeling" the shifter into the gate each time gently. It's not a smooth ride nor is it the healthiest thing for the trans but you can do it with no lasting side effects if you need to.
If it only makes the noise with the pedal mostly fully depressed, it's more likely the pilot bearing. The pilot bearing is only "in use" once the pressure plate has released the clutch disc...which happens near the bottom of the pedal stroke. Once the pedal begins to travel upward again, the pressureplate clamps on the disc again, and the pilot bearing becomes inactive once again.
Also, it is possible to drive a manual trans car without using the clutch to shift, by rev matching and "feeling" the shifter into the gate each time gently. It's not a smooth ride nor is it the healthiest thing for the trans but you can do it with no lasting side effects if you need to.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 7
From: Morgan Hill and Marina California
Also, it's the end of Labor Day weekend. Even the
freeways are going to require a lot of shifting. If you
are going to limp it home, I'd find a place to hole up
that has AC and cold liquids until late this evening.
Maybe it's time to see a movie.
(nonNorCal folks: It's hot today. I saw 101F coming
back from the grocery store a bit ago).
Chuck
freeways are going to require a lot of shifting. If you
are going to limp it home, I'd find a place to hole up
that has AC and cold liquids until late this evening.
Maybe it's time to see a movie.
(nonNorCal folks: It's hot today. I saw 101F coming
back from the grocery store a bit ago).
Chuck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Concord, California
Thanks Folks!
I restarted the car a few hours ago. The scretching noise only appears when the clutch is engaged. The cars seems to run fine. Every gear works smoothly and the car seems to drive well. Im going to take the car into my tranny specialist in town. I would imagine the TO bearing is probably 22 years old.
Thanks again for all your advise. Wish me luck. All 70 miles are on the freeway, so not too much shifting of gears.
Thanks again for all your advise. Wish me luck. All 70 miles are on the freeway, so not too much shifting of gears.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Concord, California
Phew!!!
Made it home this AM no problemo. Left at 5 AM to make it to work. There was virtually no noise ever while driving home, waiting at stop lights, engaging or disengaging the clutch, cruising speeds-nada. Very odd.
The night I heard the noise, my girlfriend heard it and said "WTF is that? Is your car okay?". I still have no idea what that noise was but it seemed to be directly in front of me and made a loud rythmic sctretching noise which leaves me to beleave its clutch/tranny juction issue. The car has never made that noise before and only did once I pulled up to my lady's house and put the car in nuetral. I have very little tools or diagnosis knowledge, but do have an excellent transmission mechanic.
Just as a suggestion, anyone in Contra Costa County know of a good transmission shop for a 1988 Vette?
The night I heard the noise, my girlfriend heard it and said "WTF is that? Is your car okay?". I still have no idea what that noise was but it seemed to be directly in front of me and made a loud rythmic sctretching noise which leaves me to beleave its clutch/tranny juction issue. The car has never made that noise before and only did once I pulled up to my lady's house and put the car in nuetral. I have very little tools or diagnosis knowledge, but do have an excellent transmission mechanic.
Just as a suggestion, anyone in Contra Costa County know of a good transmission shop for a 1988 Vette?