I just finished my first clutch job on a 4x4 5-speed Ford manual transmission with an internally mounted slave cylinder to actuate the throwout bearing. I replaced the pilot bearing, clutch disk, presssure plate, and I had the flywheel machined before putting it all back together.

When I start the vehicle, there is a squeal coming from the transmission which seems to get quieter/louder as the clutch is depressed/released, but is generally always present. When I look in the inspection port while the vehicle is running, I can see the throwout bearing vibrating side to side a bit, which looks like it might be the cause of the squealing. The bearing does appear to make light contact with the pressure plate when the clutch pedal is not depressed.

I have read elsewhere that squealing is caused by a bad pilot bearing, but I have a hard time believing that is the case here since I just replaced it.

I did not add any lubrication to the throwout bearing since it appeared to be a permanently enclosed package.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Was I supposed to add grease on the inner race that makes contact with the pressure plate?
2. Would air or low fluid in the slave/master cylinder affect the position of the throwout bearing?
3. I don't have the front driveshaft installed yet. I can't imagine its installation would dampen the vibration?

Any thoughts on what I've done wrong that could cause this squealing?

Thanks,
Jon

 

Your questions:
1. No
2. No it should not
3. It will make no difference.
Are you confident that you fitted the friction disc the right way round? Although this would often mean that the clutch would not disengage at all.
How much free play do you have at the pedal before the clutch starts to give resistance?

 

Does it shift in and out of gears as it should? Is the pilot bearing a bearing or a bushing? Did you slide it on the input shaft before installing it to make sure it was the right one?

 

1. You are making me doubt that I put the disc on the right way.
2. The pilot bearing is a bearing (needle roller type bearing). I did not slip it on the input shaft, but I did compare it with the old one. This is something I also did not lubricate, thinking that I should not add anything more than the little amount of grease that came on it to prevent grease from being thrown onto the clutch disk.

As far as pedal free travel is concerned, I will have to try it tonight. But I am 80% confident that there is little to none. It appears that the throwout bearing is making light contact with the pressure plate at all times. I'm guessing that the bearing is not supposed to make any contact at all with the pressure plate when the clutch pedal is released?

The clutch does engage and disengage, and I am able to shift gears. I took it for a short test drive in spite of the squeal, and I didn't have any noticeable trouble with slippage. I think that if I put the disc on backwards, I would not be able to drive it.

 

did u clean the pressure plate and flywheel with brake cleaner? prolly the input shaft on the pilot bearing. did u replace it? is it a squeel or a whine

 

I don't think you can put the clutch in backwards , it won't fit , sounds like a bad throwout bearing...lew

 

Lew could be right because you are getting the sound with full load or little load on the throwout bearing.
As for the disk in the wrong way it all depends on how far the splined hub extends out on one side as opposed to the other side.

 

Disappointing answer, but after driving it around in various gears for 10 minutes, the squeal went away, and I can't get it to come back. I suppose all is well that ends well... Thanks for all of the input.

 

Well at least you know that you did everything right. It may be OK from now on so, if it was me, I would just drive it and enjoy it.

 

Exactly what i was thinking. If it comes back then deal with it. Otherwise be happy.

Tim