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One Alto Way
Atmore, AL 36504

EMAIL:
sales@altousa.com

PHONE:
251.368.7777

FAX:
251.368.7774

A noise coming from the clutch area is not necessarily the release bearing?

In many cases the noise is not caused by the release bearing, in fact, it may not be a bearing in the clutch system at all. It could be coming from the transmission. There is a simple inspection that can assist you in determining where the problem lies before you begin to pull the transmission. Once you understand at what point certain bearings are rotating you can identify which bearing is creating the noise.
B Start the engine and place the transmission in neutral. Place both feet on the floorboard. If you hear the noise at this time there are two possibilities. The noise is coming from the transmission, or the clutch release bearing is in constant contact with the diaphragm of the cover and it is creating the noise. Shut down the engine and inspect the free play adjustment of the clutch release bearing. Generally, the free adjustment is between ½ inch to one inch, but it is best to refer to your vehicle manual for the exact specification. If the bearing adjustment is correct, or after readjusting the free play setting the noise remains while the engine is running and the transmission is in neutral, the problem is not in the clutch system at all. Most likely in this event, you should look toward the transmission as the culprit.

If after the engine is running and with the transmission in neutral you do not hear the noise, place your foot on the clutch pedal and partially depress. If after depressing the clutch pedal you begin to hear a noise, the problem is the clutch release bearing. It is at this point the release bearing begins to rotate as it comes in contact with the diaphragm of the cover.

If you do not hear a noise at this point, depress the clutch pedal to the floor. If you now hear a noise, then the problem is in the pilot bearing. The pilot shaft of the transmission does not rotate in the pilot bearing until the clutch pedal is fully depressed and the engine and transmission are rotating independently of each other. Once the clutch pedal is released the pilot shaft and the pilot bearing are locked up together and there is no rotation of the shaft in the pilot bearing.