Clutch + cracking sound when clutch pedal pressed

[Mike]

Hi everyone, its been a while, been getting settled into the new job and all that.

Just recently I have a new problem with my Bravo.

When I push the clutch pedal in, there is a cracking sound when the pedal is just about fully pressed. More so noticeable when the engine is turned off and you push the clutch pedal (its stiff as hell, and spongy, then the crack which is once per pedal press but not everytime.)

I have managed to pin point the sound under the bonnet. I have removed the battery tray to get to the slave cyclinder. There is no sign of this leaking but the rubber gaitor has split in to two pieces.

The problem now is that I can't work out if it is a problem related to the slave cylinder, or the release arm on the transmission (or worse, as this will link to things inside the transmission).

Has anyone ever experienced a problem like this? any help would be gratly appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Mike]

Sorry, forgot to state that this is a 1.2 16V Y reg 2001.

 

[Lee]

It is the clutch release bearing...you need a new clutch

 

[Mike]

The problem is that i've only done 11,000 miles since my old clutch got replaced, and even then, the old one did not need changing and that was at 33,000 miles so I will be amazed if this has gone already at 11,000 when the old one was still good at 33,000.

No chance of it being anything else?

 

[Wimmy]

My first guess would have been the release bearing. Is there is difference in nosie when idling when clutch is pressed/depressed?

In addition - are you losing any fluid from your slave cylinder?

 

[Lee]

You would be surprised, do you sit with the car in gear with the clutch in at traffic lights by any chance??

That will kill it very very quickly

 

[Mike]

Hi Wimmy,

There is no fluid coming from the slave cyclinder although the rubber gaitor is split in two (5 years old), so that will need replacing eventually anyway. The brake fluid resevoir is still at max.

I haven't really noticed any difference in noise when the pedal is pressed / depressed but I have noticed that just recently when letting the clutch out, the car does jutter as though something is trying to grip, but again, not all the time.

Lee,

I very rarely sit in traffic with the clutch pressed in, only when I know ill be moving within about 5 seconds, I must say that I didn't have great faith in the guy that changed the clutch for me though.

This thing is driving me crazy. I'll be well annoyed if the clutch is going after such a short period of time.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd say it wasn't, mines just had a new clutch and still does it.

 

[Mike]

Annoying isn't it . It would be nice to find out exactly what it is, bit worrying when long drives are invloved and your car cracks when a pedal is pushed, unless the clutch wasn't properly fitted / some parts that are supposed to be lubricated are running dry.

 

[Mike]

I looked in my Haynes manual and it says for noise when depressing or releasing the clutch pedal : -

-Worn clutch release bearing
-Worn or dry pedal bushes (cant be as the noise is coming from the transmission area)
-Faulty pressure plate assembly
-Pressure plate diaphragm spring broken
-broken clutch disc cushioning springs
-Clutch cable sticking or damaged (its hydraulic)

 

[Anonymous]

well my old clutch did it, my second clutch (recon) did it and my new valeo clutch does it.

 

[Mike]

and you've just ignored it and never had any problems arise from it then?

 

[Anonymous]

well considering mine has only been in for 3000 miles it will be fine...

 

[axle]

clutch

I notice my clutch judders sometimes when it's cold, after about 4 or 5 miles i don't have a problem

 

[Anonymous]

mine also does it.. it did it with old clutch and i'm now 1500 miles into new valeo clutch. still does it. wouldnt worry about it personally.


Ade

 

[ade]

i dont mean judder, but make a noise just before fully pressed

 

[Mike]

No probs then,

thanks for that everyone, at least I know i'm not the only one with the issue. I'll leave it for now and see how it goes and just make sure that at the next clutch change, they check it all over see if they can find out where the noise comes from.