clutch/throw-out bearing question

Ummkay, I'm NO expert on clutches. I had one installed last year and love it. It was a clutch from Southbend. However, I've been lead to believe my throw out bearing took a crap awhile back. It squeals a bit when i disengage the clutch when taking off from a stop.

side note...clutch grabs great, pedal feel is the exact same as it was when new. everything is fine except the squeal.

i thought I would just let it go until next spring when I do my swap (hopefully), but the noise is very annoying.

here's the question....

who can diagnose this for me to make sure I know it's actually the problem before i have someone rip it apart...if that's possible.

thx

 

I was told to use the OEM one as the ones that comes with some kit are crap

 

so, the throw out bearings are interchangeable?

 

southbend ftl ???

 

:dunno: the clutch itself is great, but the throw-out bearning!?!? If that's what it really is.....

stupid car....:roll:

 

i'm not saying southbend is bad, but I was told to use OEM throwout bearings on some of the kits out there.

 

right...

i didnt know the bearings were interchangeable..

 

If it was the throw-out bearing I'd think it would squeal every time you push the clutch pedal, not just when taking off from a stop. Does it happen when the pedal is close to the floor or almost all the way up?

My old clutch started squealing towards the end of its life when I would take off from a stop going uphill, I would feather it a bit more going up hill. I replaced everything and the noise went away, but I don't think it was the throwout bearing that was causing it because it seemed to still be in good shape and would still spin quietly.

Anyway, if you want to trade cars for a week I'm sure I can determine if it's your bearing or not.

 

heck yeah I'll take you up on that.....but just one week? please promise me you'll beat me car like it owes you money!:laugh:

 

Haha... I'll give it back after a week.. "yup, uh, definitely needs a new clutch, now."

If you're gonna be at firestone I can listen and see if it's the same as what my car was doing, should only take a few minutes.

 

i might be able to make it. as of right now i have a tentative "tuning date" around 7pm on friday. :biggrin:

 

the replacement trow out bearing that come with aftermarket kits are either Taiwanese, Korean, Chinese or even lesser quality. Always use an OEM trow out bearing no mater what. The cheapos that come in the kits are good for about 6 months to a year before they squeak or grind. The OEM dealer stuff is typically American, Japanese, German, Mexican or Canadian. Whether it is ford,chevy,suby,mazda use the dealer bearing. On the other side I have the el cheapo that came in my clutch kit free if you want it.

 

^^thanks for the input. the bearings are cheap (cost wise) so if I go back in there I'll get an OEM bearing.

thanks!!!