[Keegan_Vann]

I have written about this before but I am still clueless of what to do. I got a T-56 and a Spec Stage 3 clutch installed about a month ago. Since I got this instaled when my car is idling I hear a chattering noise coming either from my tranny or my clutch. When I push down the clutch the noise goes away. When I turn the ac on the noise will increase but I'm pretty sure that is just due to the rpm's being higher. The reason I ask it again is bc my mechanic has my car right now and is getting under it tomorrow to try to find out what the problem is. Some people said before that it could be the throwout bearing but my mechanic keeps saying that it couldn't be the throwout bearing because it isn't engaged when the clutch is out. He seems to think that it is the "pilot bearing" I believe is what he called it. Could anybody give me an idea if this could be right or if he is feeding it to me to try to get out of me saying that it was his fault so he can get some more money out of it. Also the throwout bearing is brand new it came with the clutch so how likely would it be that the throwout bearing is bad?

[the real shocker]

alot of the spec clutches are bad about chatter from what i hear until they are broken in good???

[bransdaman78]

yep

[Keegan_Vann]

So you think I need to really get into the clutch and what kind of turnover time are we talking about for breaking it in.

[amphibrecon]

Alright Bro' I am not a Tech or anything, I found some info in my Ford Motor Co. Mustang Workshop Manual and I hope it will help in some way, remember I am trying to learn myself, but parts of this sounded familiar to your problem. Also this is only general info for stock trans/clutch. This info is coming from the workshop manual for my 2001 GT. This is kind of long.

THIS REFERS TO EXCESSIVE NOISE MANUAL TRANS OR CLUTCH
Quote: While verifying the condition, determine whether the noise is gear rollover noise, clutch release bearing rub or some other transmission related noise.

GEAR ROLLOVER NOISE inherent in manual transmissions, is caused by the constant mesh gears turning at the engine idle speed while the clutch is engaged (pedal up) and the transmission is in NEUTRAL.

CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING RUB is sometimes mistaken for mainshaft bearing noise.

GEAR ROLLOVER NOISE will disappear when the clutch is disengaged (pedal down) or when the transmission is engaged in gear.

CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING RUB will disappear when the clutch is engaged (pedal up). In the event that a bearing is damaged, the noise is more pronounced while engaged in gear under load or coast than NEUTRAL.

HERE IS A PINPOINT TEST FOR EXCESSIVE NOISE:

Transmission Neutral Gear Rollover Test: Start engine and let idle with the trans in neutral and the clutch engaged (pedal up). If noise is excessive, depress the clutch pedal to stop the trans input shaft from rotating.

DID THE NOISE STOP WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED?

YES: Inspect the clutch component for damage.

NO: Go to next test (CHECK THE PILOT BEARING)

Pilot Bearing Test: Inspect pilot bearing for damage.

IS PILOT BEARING OKAY?

YES: Go to next test (CHECK TORSION SPRINGS)

NO: Install new Pilot Bearing.

Torsion Spring Test: Inspect Torsion Springs for fatigue or breakage.

ARE THERE SIGNS OF FATIGUE OR BREAKAGE?

YES: Install new clutch disc.

NO: Inspect crankshaft end play.


By "Throwout Bearing" I'm assuming "Clutch Release Bearing". From what I have researched, what your Mech said about it not being a "Throwout Bearing" seems correct. For a "Throwout Bearing" you would get a noise when the clutch is disengaged (pedal down) and the noise would go away with clutch engaged (ped up). Also I don't know if you did both, but It suggests that if you perform a clutch replacement/mod that both the throwout and pilot bearing be replaced, or else you could run into some big problems, such as you are having now and have to remove bell housing and trans to replace it.

NOTE: PILOT BEARING-Supports the end of the transmission input shaft and centers the clutch disc on the flywheel.

I know this is alot, and I am sure SOME PEOPLE on here will take their SHOTS! stating that I'm a NOOB and all of this isn't required, but I hope it helps.

[Keegan_Vann]

No this helped a lot just one question. In the first question it said if the noise goes away when depressing the clutch then you should inspect the clutch component for damage, by clutch component what do they mean just the whole clutch or what? I ask this bc this is exactly what happened.

[Keegan_Vann]

Also when the clutch was put in the flywheel was resurfaced could this be some of the problem? I have heard that when you get a new clutch and the flywheel is resurfaced you really have to rip into the clutch to get it broke in so that it won't make any noise.

[Keegan_Vann]

Anybody...?

[amphibrecon]

Sorry Bro' I knew I should have put that part in there. Yeah it says to check the Clutch Disc, Pressure Plate,Flywheel (flywheel runout check) and the pilot Bearing all which require taking it apart. Some which require special tools (Dial Indicator/Magnetic Base). Here is the one for the Disc check:

1. Check clutch disc lining for hardening or presence of oil.

2. Check for worn clutch disc lining, measure the minimum allowable depth to the rivet heads with a Slide Caliper. I know you have an aftermarket clutch, but for stock it is (0.3mm).

3. Check for loose clutch disc lining rivets.

4. Use special tool (Dial indicator) to check the maximum allowanble runout of the clutch disc. For stock max/allowable runout is (0.7mm).

5. Use emory cloth t remove minor imperfections in the clutch disc lining surface.

6. Check for wear or rust on the spilines. If necessary clean them with emery cloth.

7. Check the clutch disc for cracking, scoring, discoloration or other surface marks. Install new clutch disc if necessary.

In check the Pilot bearing you would be looking for signs of damage such as, needle rollers for scoring, worn or broken rollers, cracked roller cage inadaquate grease or discoloration.

Unless you have the tools and knowledge for the disassembly/assembly I am guessing all of this needs to be done by your Mechanic. I hoped this helped in some way. I would have tried to put more in but I gotta go to work, good luck!

[Keegan_Vann]

This is awesome man thanks a lot. This has been great my mechanic was actually taking it apart today to see what was wrong I just wanted to be on the same page as him and make sure he had the right idea. You know how we all are about our Mustangs they are our babies!

[MustangMatt96GT]

Well my tension pulley went bad right after my new clutch was put in and I thought thatit was a throw out bearing but its a simple fix!

[Keegan_Vann]

I hope it ends up being something simple. I just don't want to get screwed out of more money.

[MustangMatt96GT]

Take a hose or pipe and listen threw it at all of your pullies! Mine clearly was louder than all the rest! Mine had all the same sounds as yours and I had it checked and was told it was this pulley so I whiped out the hose and I knew it was it immeditaly!

[Keegan_Vann]

I have never even heard of that but I will tell my mechanic that it could be a possibility

[amphibrecon]

Originally Posted by Keegan_Vann This is awesome man thanks a lot. This has been great my mechanic was actually taking it apart today to see what was wrong I just wanted to be on the same page as him and make sure he had the right idea. You know how we all are about our Mustangs they are our babies!

Hmmmm... lets try this again, I posted a response but it didn't show up. Anyway glad that I could help, anymore questions on anything just let me know. These workbooks are awesome, both are about the size of the yellow pages and covers everything. Let me know the outcome, I'd like to know if I gave you the right info.

[zkid01]

Im not sure if this is going to be a throw-out bearing issue.. cause usually they start making noise when the clutch pedal is depressed.. not when the clutch is engaged.. You might want to recheck your torquing (i know thats spelt wrong) cause if you didnt use the correct star pattern the clutch wont be lined up correctly.. Hope that your mechanic figures it out.. thats about all i can say without seeing the car myself. Good Luck.

[ChrisJ]

I would say throw out bearing...

[the real shocker]

throw out bearings make more of a whine though and not a chatter right? or at least the ones i have heard

[ChrisJ]

All the ones I ahve heard chatter...

[the real shocker]

its highly possible...i've on actually hear a couple that were going out... one was split in half when he finally took it out, and his car was whining whether it was in neutral or in gear