car clutch problem

[Ivan]

My sister's car has started making a clutch bearing noise today. It's only when the pedal is depressed (even if only slightly). When the pedal isn't depressed, it's fine. She's been quoted £500 to sort out the problem in the garage, but it's an old car and she can't afford it.

My view is that it will probably be ok for several months if not longer, as long as she goes easy on the clutch pedal. I've heard that it's sometimes possible to cure this problem by squirting wd40 at the clutch release bearing by removing the inspection plate. I'd worry a bit about getting oil on the clutch plate itself, but I guess it would burn off pretty readily.

Anybody got experience of clutch bearings to know whether I'm right or wrong?

[desperate]

I agree with your diagnosis, most release bearings are sealed for life and getting any WD40 into the bearing itself could be a bit tricky. 500 quid sounds a bit steep, a mobile mechanic swapped the complete clutch in old old smokey for 80 quid labour a couple of years ago, the bits were about the same if I remember right. Could be worth phoning around.

Desp

[camillitech]

My view is that it will probably be ok for several months if not longer, as long as she goes easy on the clutch pedal. I've heard that it's sometimes possible to cure this problem by squirting wd40 at the clutch release bearing by removing the inspection plate. I'd worry a bit about getting oil on the clutch plate itself, but I guess it would burn off pretty readily.

Anybody got experience of clutch bearings to know whether I'm right or wrong?

Agree entirely and worth a shot, clutch release bearings seldom fail spectacularly or suddenly, worth checking the cable mounts/rubbers/routing too whilst your in there sometimes that can accentuate a normal noise.

Whatever sort of car it is there's bound to be an 'anorak's' website for it, check there, it may be a common and easily sorted problem.

Good luck, Paul

[clockmanFR]

In the past i did allot of Moggy minors, and Ford Escorts, and in those days it was worth while while the gear box was off, to fit a new clutch plate at the same time as the bearing, however you will need a clutch alignment tool.

Personall speaking, the noise of a dodgy bearing running on the actuator arm just gets worse until the whole lot falls apart/disintegrates.

Sorry, just giving you my experience about clutches, I hate them! 

A good time to teach "how to drive your car in an Emergency with out a Clutch", (shh i practised on Post Office vans).

[smegal]

What car is it?

[biff]

clutch aligment tool= 9"length of broom shaft for moggie minor or escort.
                                                                    biff
     dont think i ever had an old banger that the release bearing was,nt jingling. it was when they began to judder that i got serious.
    like paul says they can go for ages and still not collapse.however in city traffic when the bearing starts to heat up and stick,gears can be difficult to engage which is a sure sign that the toes are distorting but there would be a long long way to go before that
                                                                                                                  biff
  

[camillitech]

however you will need a clutch alignment tool.

Showing your age now CM you can do most front wheel drive cars without one and how many rear wheel drives are their nowadays 

The Ford Escort was an 11mm round  bar with insulation tape wrapped around it and the Moggy a 3/8" one  Fastest time for one of my mechanics to do an Escort clutch was 22 minutes  The Ford Main dealer I worked for was staffed by mechanics that wore trainers so they could run to the parts counter for bits. They got paid a bonus for every six minutes under the 'standard time' ( I think an Escort was 1.6 hours )

Can't say I've ever seen a release bearing fail without ever giving plenty of warning, though I have seen two clutches 'explode' or at least come out through the bell housing 

Cheers, Paul

[clockmanFR]

Paul, yes I am old, and to be honest when I lift up the engine bonnet it takes me several minutes just to find the Spark plugs. 

Must put that in a test for the latest technicians, "what is a distributor rotor"

 

[camillitech]

Paul, yes I am old, and to be honest when I lift up the engine bonnet it takes me several minutes just to find the Spark plugs. 

Must put that in a test for the latest technicians, "what is a distributor rotor"

 

If you really want to confuse them CM, just ask them to set the points and tappets     

Cheers, Paul

[Ivan]

I'll tell her to keep driving it then. She only drives around town in Monmouth with the odd trip to the Forest of Dean or Hereford (about 20miles). Monmouth isn't very big so doesn't have much in the way of traffic jams. Most of her driving is about 2miles journey maximum.

I've got a clutch alignment tool somewhere, and I've changed clutches before, but don't relish the task, and certainly don't want to volunteer to do it!

[biff]

the distributer rotar is an anti-theft device fitted inside the distributer cap  ,30 years ago you pulled it off and stuck it in your pocket and hoped they had not flattened the battery by the time you got back.
                                                                                               biff

[spaces]

If it isn't rapidly getting noisier it should be absolutely fine. Failure is highly unlikely unless the clutch is repeatedly put to extremely hard use and overheated - even then I've never known one go! - but it's likely the worst case scenario would be no more expensive than replacing the clutch assembly (which is what would be done for the £500.)

What sort of car is it? £500 does sound a lot for a clutch.

[camillitech]

What sort of car is it? £500 does sound a lot for a clutch.

Wifey's tiny wee Daihatsu 1.3 YRV clutch kit was £250 trade and that's before fitting  Would never buy another 

Cheers, Paul

[Justme]

Spray chain grease would be better lasting than wd40. Using a tube like you get with wd40 you should be able to contain it to the bearing, just dont spray to much as it will get flung off.

[offthegridandy]

Insert Quote
I'll tell her to keep driving it then. She only drives around town in Monmouth with the odd trip to the Forest of Dean or Hereford (about 20miles). Monmouth isn't very big so doesn't have much in the way of traffic jams. Most of her driving is about 2miles journey maximum.

I'd suggest she doesn't drive with foot resting on pedal. or sit with car in gear at junctions.

By the by I'm a broomstick and insulation tape man myself!

Andy