Hi all,

Quick background:

The car is basically stock, 135k miles. Only "mods" are K&N filter and !CAGS. I parked it for about a week and a half. Prior to that it drove fine, shifted normally, no strange noises, etc. I got in it yesterday to go to work and all seemed normal at first. Engine running, clutch was engaged (pedal up), trans in neutral. I pushed in the clutch, shifted to reverse and began to back out of the garage. I only made it a short distance and it began to make a whining noise (may not be best description). I pushed the clutch in and it immediately stopped. I tryed again, same results, forward and reverse. The sound is pretty loud and seems to be constant in volume. I haven't driven the car any good distance since, so I havent had the clutch completely engaged yet. It starts when the pedal is about 3/4 of the way up, when it just starts to grab I suppose.

I did some searching on the forum and I'm hoping it is a pilot or thowout bearing or the DM flywheel or a combination there of. To my knowledge the flywheel is original, and from what I read here, should be close to done @ 135k. I am the third owner of the car, and the guy I bought it from did not do any clutch work to it. I believe he bought it at 78k. He had no knowledge of any major work performed by the first owner either. I had to replace the opti shortly after I bought it @ 125k. The clutch/pressure plate/bearings may be original as well (possible?). All of the coolant hoses even have 1994 stamped on them. Anyway, I'm hesitant (in denial?) to think it is internal to the trans because the noise stops so quickly when the pedal is pushed in, and I've been able to go forward in 1st gear and the noise not occur every time.

Any insight and is greatly appreciated. If I left something out that will help diagnose, please ask.

Thanks in advance!

 

In any case, it sounds like a good time to replace the clutch and inspect the flywheel. When replacing the clutch you'll replace the release bearing (throw-out bearing). Be perpared for a hefty bill for the flywheel replacement as they run around $800 (depending on where you buy it). Also, when replacing the flywheel you need to match the balance of the old one. This is simple, just get a package of flywheel weights and insert them in the same holes as the old flywheel. You cannot resurface an OEM dual mass flywheel. It's all in the Helms Manual.

 

Well, it sure doesn't sound like the clutch or release bearing to me. Release bearings are noisey when the clutch in disengaged (pedal down).

Does it make the noise in gear and when you are moving? Or only in neutral? Is it all gears?

First thing I would do is check for something laying against the driveshaft. While you are under there check the fluid level in the transmission. It's unlikely something would break just sitting around so it's probably something simple.

 

At 135K on the original clutch maybe the disk rivets are contacting the flywheel or pressure plate, or could be a rouge rivet.
Do you notice any clutch slippage?

 

Well that beats all. I just went out and cranked it up to get some more info for you guys. I put it in reverse and started to slip the clutch. It made the noise for a brief second and then stopped. I backed out of the garage...still nothing, so I started off around the neighborhood. I drove around for a good 10 minutes and it never made another sound out of the ordinary. I went through all six gears and even came out of a corner once with ASR off and gave it enough throttle to break the tires loose and get a little side ways and catch second gear (not in the neighborhood anymore BTW). It didn't miss a beat. Got back in the garage and let it idle for a few minutes. Clutch in, clutch out...no more noise.

I'm at a loss. What are the symptoms of low hydraulic fluid? :o Something I forgot to mention is that the reservoir was a bit low yesterday, so I added fluid but it didnt seem to help at the time as the noise was still present. Then today the problem seems to have disappeared.

Ideas?

 

He has a good point here. I was riding along one day a picked up a stick that lodged in the pass side half shaft. It sounded like I was loosing the dif. I limped it home and up on the Kwik Lift and was so releaved to find that stick.

 

I haven't driven it yet today, but like I said earlier the car performed normally last night. Whatever the noise is/was, I don't think it was something lodged against the driveshaft; the car didnt even have to start moving and the noise/whine/groan would occur as the clutch just started to engage.

I have already ordered a new DM flywheel and stock replacement clutch kit from Tom @ Carolina Clutch. If I drive the car again this evening and it does OK, should I send the parts back? Chalk one up to gremlins or what??

Thanks again.

 

I haven't driven it yet today, but like I said earlier the car performed normally last night. Whatever the noise is/was, I don't think it was something lodged against the driveshaft; the car didnt even have to start moving and the noise/whine/groan would occur as the clutch just started to engage.

I have already ordered a new DM flywheel and stock replacement clutch kit from Tom @ Carolina Clutch. If I drive the car again this evening and it does OK, should I send the parts back? Chalk one up to gremlins or what??

Thanks again.

 

I don't have an answer for you. I just picked up a '92 6-speed car on Friday and drove it 1200 miles back to CO and heard the noise twice while shifting out of a gas station. I didn't think much of it until yesterday when I got home and it did it a couple of times when I pulled out of the garage. I drove it today and got the same noises twice. It isn't happening in any particular gear but the pedal up about 3/4 of the way produces the strange noise. It almost sounds like a bearing of some sort going out but I can't imagine the throwout bearing making that noise when the clutch is engaging.

I haven't checked the tranny fluid but was told it was replaced a few thousand miles ago. Clutch fluid is the correct level.

Dave

 

Now I bet you're really confused!! Just when you thought you were doing the right thing, your car fixes itself! And you need a new Corvette Forum name!