Loud 'Squeak' Noise From Clutch?
 

I've looked all over the web trying to find others that may have this same issue with no luck.

I cranked up my car yesterday like any other day and noticed a very loud squeaking noise coming from the car after I released the clutch to let it idle and warm up. Upon further investigation I noticed if I engage the clutch peddle it stops making the noise, when I release the peddle the squeaking starts again. I started driving it and the noise stopped. Stopped at a stoplight and took my foot off of the clutch and no squeaking. I went to Target and was in there for maybe 10 minutes, come out, start up the car and release the clutch while it's parked in neutral and the squeaking starts again. Engage clutch and it stops. Not sure what could be causing this, hopefully someone could point me into a good direction. Thanks!

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96974
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96974
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96644
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56882

I know you're trying to help. Unfortunately I've read those threads before. I did my research. The clutch ONLY squeaks when the car is on. The peddle doesn't squeak or cause the squeaking, in fact it eliminates the squeaking completely when it's engaged. I crank the car on, I hear the squeaking. I'm not pushing in the clutch or anything, it's in neutral. I push the clutch in and the squeaking stops. I'm not a "new" guy on here, I usually figure these things out myself, but I cannot find anyone with the same issue as me.

I'm not familiar with clutches per say, but I kind of doubt it's the throwout bearing. I could be wrong though.

Sounds exactly like a bad throw out from your description.


or...

Is it the "honking" sort of noise. There are threads on that as well. If I remember right it is something to do with the clutch master.

Not familiar with the "honking". It sounds like the crickets but on a much louder volume. I popped open the hood and looked around and at first I thought it was the belts whining (it was coming from around that area). In any case, I'm not under warranty anymore, except power train, but as I've read it's not going to be covered under that :(

It's the throwout bearing. It's going to eventually happen whenever you don't have the pedal pushed down. It may already be making the noise as you drive, you just may not be hearing it when the car's moving.

-Justin

Not the honk then. It is very loud and sounds like a car horn or goose.

It's my understanding, that the release bearing (throw out bearing), does NOT normally go round and round, when the clutch is NOT depressed ..........:popcorn:


humfrz

I believe you all are right and now I feel bad about doubting TCoat. My apologies. I suppose since it's not covered by warranty, is it a simple DIY fix? or will I unfortunately be forced to kill my wallet?

The part is cheap, but you have to remove the transmission to install it (or the engine, if you want to go that way).

-Justin

Time consuming but not difficult. I have never done one on an FRS but have done dozens of others. You may want to consider springing for an upgraded clutch while you are in there anyways.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...fGao9nW2l3oUSA

OK, if I understand the OP correctly, the noise happens only when the clutch is NOT depressed.

I also have the understanding that the TOB only "works" when the clutch IS depressed.

So, how could the squeaking sound be coming from the TOB ..... :popcorn:

Maybe ya'll can help me understand that ....... while I take ma nap ..... ZZZZZ


humfrz

Thats what I couldn't understand myself. Like I said, I'm not very mechanically inclined when it comes to transmissions/clutches but I do know what moves and what doesn't. But you are correct. The noise ONLY happens when car is in neutral and the clutch is NOT depressed. The moment I put even the slightest amount of pressure on the clutch/pedal the noise disappears. Maybe I should take it to the dealership just to see if it is something that is covered under the power train warranty???

I'm really new at this sort of thing. I'm more of a suspension component guy myself.

I can't tell you why it works like that. Just seems to be a really common failure in Subarus (I have an outback making this noise right now - will install a sleeve once my FR-S is back from the dealer) and the symptoms are exactly as described.

I think some people experience a heat-related element also, in that the sound is louder in cold weather.

-Justin

I've seen numerous threads about Subaru cars with the same issue. You would think they (Subaru) would get the hint by now and engineer a better part.

Mine seems to be the opposite however, It was colder today than yesterday. Yesterday it made the noise, today it did not. I did not drive the car today, just went out in the garage and let it sit running idle for about 10 minutes to see if it would replicate the sound again, and of course it doesn't.

I know cars aren't indestructible, I just hate having these types of issues when I'm not even at 50k miles. Most clutches/clutch components last up until at least 100k. At least in my other cars they have.

They don't engineer that part, they buy it from Exedy to my knowledge. I believe they can pay for a better part, but Subaru doesn't want to pay for it. Say a $10 upcharge gives you a bearing that outlasts the clutch material, Subaru has built or will build at least 200,000 86's, that's a cool $2 million in their pocket for picking the cheaper bearing.

When we had to manually adjust our clutches there was a spring that pulled the clutch fork towards the disengaged position. We had to maintain a little dead zone to make sure the clutch could fully engage.

With automatically adjusting hydraulic clutches, a spring in the slave cylinder maintains an ever-so-slight pressure on the assembly so the TO bearing spins all the time. It normally lasts just fine because there's no real load on it.

When it's beginning to fail, the bearing sticks in the at-rest position. The squeak goes away when the extra force of depressing the clutch forces it to turn with the pressure plate fingers.

Still, by the time it reaches that point, there's a bunch of heat and wear on the pressure plate fingers while it's squeaking, and way more when the blown bearing is spinning.

OP needs to jump on it like yesterday while he only needs to replace the TO bearing. Any longer and he'll be replacing the pressure plate and the transmission front cover (snout).

Well, now, @Brndn704, whatever is making that noise will most likely not fix itself and just get worse.

Whether it's a bad release bearing (TOB), a broken or loose clutch spring, a bad front bearing, a warn or dry clutch fork, a separated clutch disk or a warped pressure plate ...... it should be fixed.

So, like said up above, the time (labor) is the expensive part. While they have it opened up, they might as well replace the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and clutch fork.

Sorry about that ....... :(


humfrz

WELL, I'LL BE DANGED! .............. ol humfrz stands corrected ..... :confused0068:

My brain's "throw out bearing" got stuck back in the day (pre 1980s) when they shouldn't spin all the time.

Thanks, @Ultramaroon for bringing this old coot into the present century .... :thanks:


humfrz

Interesting enough I was going through my paperwork on the car and was looking at the warranty. According to the paperwork on "power train" warranty under the transmission clause, the bearing(s) are covered.

Ive read on here that the dealerships do not cover the throw out bearing? Has anyone actually fought this? The reason I ask is because any other bearing on the car is covered. The throw out bearing is not really a "wear" item like the clutch or brakes. The wheel bearings are covered, the engine bearings are covered, etc. Just curious before I spend $$$ out of pocket that I don't necessarily have to spend.

I agree with this and think Toybaru is being dishonest in saying the TO bearing is a wear item. Brake pads and clutch disks are friction material which wear. Bearings are not.

I'm honestly surprised they haven't put out a recall on these cars yet, I've read countless threads about the throw out bearing now. Lesson learned on buying a first year car.

I take that back, apparently 2014's and 15's are having the same issues. I just hope the warranty holds true and it does get replaced. I'll find out later this week.

I have this issue, but to a much lesser extent. Clutch makes a socket wrench noise when being depressed. I also have some weird screech noises during start up.
Taking the car in this sat for a 18k maintenance, and will bring it up.

What is the solution to this? I think my 2015 GT86 also have the exact same problem.