Driving an automobile with a manual transmission system gives you a pleasing experience.
However, it might sometimes confuse you, and many have reported that manual transmission noise goes away when clutch pressed.
Why does this problem occur? How to address it efficiently? Let’s get started!
The Manual Transmission Noise Goes Away When Clutch Pressed? – The Reasons Why
There are common contributors to this phenomenon, including: lubrication problems, the damage to the input bearings, the throwout bearing defection, the failed pilot bearing, the broken clutch pressure plate, and the bad input shaft.
Some are cheap and easy to fix, while others might call for professional mechanics. Let’s dive deeply into each case.
Lubrication Problems
Lubrication plays a pivotal role in the engines’ operation, helping them work harmoniously.
The transmission contains multiple moving gears, so they could easily clash without lubrication due to strong friction.
The consequence is damage to the whole system and your car in general. One clear indication of this issue lies in noise.
If you hear some whining or grinding sounds inside your vehicle, there is a high chance that engines are grinding against each other.
Trouble in shifting gears is also a clear symptom. In this case, transmission parts are not properly lubricated, causing them to bind up and resulting in difficulty rotating gears.
The Damage To Input Shaft Bearings
Input bearings are mechanical elements usually used to constrain excessive motion to the desired one and diminish friction between moving parts.
In transmission, it is also functional in supporting the input shaft and preventing it from being misaligned.
Suppose it is on the fritz; several worries could follow. The input shaft would likely rotate to an incorrect torque, and this practice is harmful to its health in the long run.
That is also the reason why transmission noise goes away when clutch pressed. Even worse, complete transmission failure is looming if this issue persists.
The Throwout Bearing Defection
A throwout bearing belongs to the automotive clutch system, responsible for delivering a linear force from the clutch pedal to the rotating plate.
In other words, it helps disengage the clutch when the clutch pedal is depressed and vice versa.
If it gets damaged, it cannot force or release the clutch efficiently, inducing the clutch making noise when engaged.
There are some signs of a bad throwout bearing. One is the grinding or humming sound in high pitch when you start the engine or accelerate the speed.
Less common is the difficulty in shifting mechanical devices. This is because the clutch pedal becomes spongy and more susceptible to corrosion with regard to degraded bearings.
The Failed Pilot Bearings
The pilot bearing is located in the center of the crankshaft flange, assisting and keeping the transmission input shaft and clutch disc in balance.
Specifically, it ensures a correct shaft position but still allows it to run freely.
When it goes wrong, debris, dirt, and metal shavings would likely get stuck in the gears and its internal components.
The damage to the transmission is triggered, which is one of the common contributors to the thumping noise when driving.
Several indicators of this issue could be enumerated, like the transmission’s vigorous shaking or decreased car performance.
The Broken Clutch Pressure Plate
The clutch plate transfers the engine power toward the transmission and ultimately to the car’s wheels. Suppose it is out of order; various problems may arise, including transmission noise.
Indeed, you could easily hear some noise when releasing the clutch, and the sound becomes more distinct when your car is in an idle or coasting state.
Depressing the clutch pedal would alleviate the noise by reducing the pressure placed on the damaged plate. Yet you must still pay close attention to the engine grinding noise, as the pedal could go bad.
The Bad Input Shaft
As mentioned earlier, the input shaft is vital to the manual transmission system, supported by many bearings.
If they get worn over time, these bearings cannot support the input shaft, rendering it defective and eventually leaving the transmission noise problem.
But if an impact damages the shaft, you should worry as well. For instance, suppose your car is affected by an accident, or you hit obstacles on the road; the bearings could fall off and induce shaft failure.
How To Solve The Issue?
Following are feasible remedies for each of the culprits presented above.
Lubrication Issues
If you doubt your car is getting into lubrication trouble, you can check the transmission fluid level. When the amount is below the threshold, this is boiled down to a leak.
But once the fluid is filled with dirt and crud, that means your transmission is improperly lubricated.
To gain the most precise conclusion, you should examine the transmission parts. Any signs of wear and tear prove that something is wrong with the transmission.
After all, having it checked and repaired by professional mechanics is mostly recommended.
The Damaged Input Shaft Bearings
Suppose the clutch noises problem is rooted from the worn input bearings, you should tow your automobile to a reliable automotive workshop, and certified specialists will diagnose the issue and propose a reasonable repair.
Under a few circumstances, only the outer part of the bearings needs replacing, which only costs a sum of money. Yet, the figure could climb up, given the replacement of the entire bearing.
Despite the repair cost, you must get the issue addressed as soon as possible. Delaying the maintenance process only makes you pay more for transmission faults.
The Throwout Bearing Wear
Diagnosing whether the throw out bearing is broken is quite straightforward. Checking for cracks or missing motor parts is the top priority.
Then, you go into your car, pressing and disengaging to detect where the sound stems.
If it emanates from the throw-out bearing, it’s high time you replace the bearing to avert worse scenarios.
In case you realize the problem too late, you must make a replacement of the whole clutch assembly, including the release bearing, flywheel, and pressure plate.
The Pilot Bearings Fault
A brief inspection will tell us about the bearing damage, like pitting or scoring. Once you determine the root of the issue, start to replace it with a new one.
This task is tricky, as it includes numerous complex steps and requires thorough knowledge of the mechanical aspect.
It would be best to have it examined by licensed mechanics timely to prevent premature failure and wear of the transmission.
The Defective Clutch Pressure Plate
Like the lubrication problem, two signs denoting that the pilot bearings have failed include a low fluid level and cracks on their outer sides.
After acknowledging the culprits behind a bad pressure plate, you continue over the replacement procedure, which is easy to handle by yourself.
First, you must remove the broken one from the transmission system and wipe off the surrounding area.
Then, place a new plate to the correct torque before filling fluid into the transmission and bleeding it to eliminate air pockets. If you are still unclear, read the manufacturer’s manual for more info.
The Broken Input Shaft
Suppose the problem derives from a failing input shaft; replacing it is a viable idea. The cost depends on the shaft damage’s intensity and service fees as well.
Don’t forget to purchase a new shaft from a reliable motor store because fake products are known for bad quality and short lifespans.
How Do You Fix A Noisy Clutch When Released?
Here is an all-inclusive guidance on handling the squeaky clutch that you should pay close attention to.
- Step 1: Park your vehicle carefully and switch the key off. Before knuckling down to the process, you should wait about ten to fifteen minutes for the engines to cool down.
- Step 2: Prepare necessary equipment, such as a wrench, a plier, a jack stand, gloves and safety eyeglasses, etc.
- Step 3: You need to lift your car and use a jack stand to support it. Then, slide underneath its bodywork and bring a mechanic work light to pinpoint the clutch slave cylinder’s location. It should adhere to the transmission and clutch fork.
- Step 4: Uninstall the slave cylinder by taking out its bolts with the help of a wrench. Remember to check whether any grease is left on the pushrod.
- Step 5: After removing the cylinder from its original sitting, you pull out the cylinder rods and the rubber boot by prying their base. However, you should compress one of the cylinder’s ends to avert the piston from falling off.
- Step 6: After taking all of them out, you move on to cleaning the pushrod. It is strongly recommended that you use tiny sandpaper and gently apply your fingers to wipe it off from grease and dirt.
- Step 7: Install the rubber boot onto the slave cylinder. Next, you must bring it back to its position on your automobile. You are advised to use both hands, one for compressing the clutch cylinder and one for threading the bolts.
- Step 8: Purchase a good-quality lubricant and spray it on throwout bearings, rubber boot, and clutch fork surfaces. Avoid spraying too much, which can lead to a slippage problem.
- Step 9: Lower your automobile by pressing the jack stand downwards. Then, you get into your car and turn the key on. If the issue persists, call for qualified mechanics, and he will check its overall state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does The Transmission Generate Noises When You Press The Clutch?
The clutch connects to the fork through a series of bearings together with a cable and rods.
When depressed, the bearing will be pushed into strong strings, shifting the transmission and making sounds in the end.
What Sound Does A Bad Clutch Create?
If you notice a loud squealing noise, there might be some problems with your bearing. In most cases, it comes close to the end of its life. You could avoid this issue by frequently checking and maintaining.
A high-pitched squeaking sound indicates a worn clutch, showing it no longer works well.
However, it is quite difficult for you to differentiate each sound, so please consult with trusted specialists and gain advice from them.
How Much Should You Pay For The Replacement Of A Noisy Clutch?
On average, the cost is about 500 to 600 dollars, but it could climb to 1000 dollars if the engines, like a flywheel, an input shaft, or bearings, are badly damaged.
It would be cheaper if you attempted a replacement process at home. You only pay for the new part’s price instead of the additional service fees.
The Bottom Line
Our article has provided comprehensive details about causes explaining why the manual transmission noise goes away when clutch pressed, coupled with solutions.
The instruction on a noisy clutch’s replacement is also entailed; hoping to help you out!
Thank you for being supportive, and have a nice day!