Squealing / rumbling from gearbox - Possibly release bearing.

[divingscubaboy]

Hi All

I have a worryingly noisy squeal / rumble which I reckon is the clutch release bearing.
When the engine is ticking over or the vehicle being driven there is metallic squeal / rumble. When at idle or during driving and the clutch pedal is depressed the noise pretty well disappears. Has anyone had these symptoms before I rip the box out?
I did read on gsf car parts forum about a similar symptom which the owner attributed to a dry release bearing.
If I rip out the box I'll do the complete clutch anyway as it's on 108,000. Just wondered whether I can get away without doing it till next weekend as my wife uses it for work.
Cheers!

[3rensho]

Haven't had those symptoms with a Berlingo but your description is exactly what I heard when the throw-out bearing packed it in on a VW Beattle. I'd bet your diagnosis is correct.

[pk7478]

Hi All

I have a worryingly noisy squeal / rumble which I reckon is the clutch release bearing.
When the engine is ticking over or the vehicle being driven there is metallic squeal / rumble. When at idle or during driving and the clutch pedal is depressed the noise pretty well disappears. Has anyone had these symptoms before I rip the box out?
I did read on gsf car parts forum about a similar symptom which the owner attributed to a dry release bearing.
If I rip out the box I'll do the complete clutch anyway as it's on 108,000. Just wondered whether I can get away without doing it till next weekend as my wife uses it for work.
Cheers!

Be careful! These bearings has a plastic housing.
If bearing stalls because of absence of a grease in it.And you'll try to turn on a gear, your clutch bearing fly away in a clutch housing of a gearbox.
Thanks Valeo for such present

[Andre]

Haynes also suggests the following could be the issue.

   

[divingscubaboy]

Just an update to confirm my suspicion that the release bearing was the problem.
When the engine was running the clutch fork and cable would 'chatter' and move on its own whilst squealing.
On removing the gearbox the release bearing had separated. It amazed me that the car still drove to be honest.
The friction plate was in really good condition for 108000 miles. Unfortunately the knackered bearing had damaged the forks on the pressure plate otherwise it could have been reused.
It's a real shame that manufacturers force these cheap crappy components on us all. If the release bearing wasn't comprised partly of plastic then this wouldn't have happened.
Something to be aware of is that the clutch I ordered from my local motor factors was supplied incorrectly although it was listed as being for my vehicle in the valeo catalogue. My Bingo is an early Mk2 on a 52 plate registered in November 02 and has a BE4 'box in it. The actual pressure and friction plates are the same but the release bearing is different. from the MA and BE3 box.
Pictures here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/divingscuba...9fdoP2ihAE#

[andy-womble]

Unfortunately the knackered bearing had damaged the forks on the pressure plate otherwise it could have been reused.

Luckily, divingscaboy's pressure plate showed obvious signs of wear and he replaced it.

Word of advice to those who have not fitted a clutch before and sorry to those who already know, teaching granny to suck eggs>

It is false economy and in fairness a balls-ache of a job to have to do a repeat performance as a result of trying to save a bob or two on re-used components when they don't work right. When replacing a clutch be sure to replace the three main components, namely, release bearing, pressure plate and friction plate.
Get it right first time....

[pk7478]

Andy.
You forgot to add...
Except clutch-kit replacement it is necessary to replace:

1. Seal of a primary shaft in a gearbox. PSA sell it to spareparts as guide bush+primary shaft seal.
2. Seals (both) of driveshafts.
3. Clutch cable.

[andy-womble]

Ooops sorry about that !!!!

Others please take note....

[divingscubaboy]

@ Andy-Womble.
I completely agree with you about replacing the whole set up. What I really meant to say instead of reuse was that if the bearing hadn't failed the rest would have been good for many miles yet.
I took the opportunity to replace both front wishbones at the same time as as the front & rear bushes were shot in addition to a split bottom balljoint gaiter. Waste of time rebushing / balljoint replacement for what a wishbone costs.
Would have been nice to do everything else whilst I was under there but as its the only car we have for my wife to get to work i'll have to save that for a weekend!
Nothing like a busmans holiday at the weekend!

[andy-womble]

Would have been nice to do everything else whilst I was under there but as its the only car we have for my wife to get to work i'll have to save that for a weekend!
Nothing like a busmans holiday at the weekend!

Know the feeling, since having finished work due to ill health we are down to one motor, apart from fitting the odd wiper blade and kicking the tyres, most of my repairs and maintenance is farmed out nowadays. I still keep a beady eye over proceedings though and a bit fussy who I let loose on my motors.