ok, i've spent a great deal of time searching for the solution to this, but i haven't found anything that really helps me out w/my problem (so don't flame me ).

anyways, here's the deal. this problem only occurs after driving my car for a while (i.e. 10-15 minutes). what happens is that i get a loud creaking/groaning noise when i push in the clutch pedal. it is coming from somewhere in the engine bay. also, the pedal feel changes -- it gets harder to push, and is not smooth feeling like when the car is cold.

i've already changed out the slave & master cylinders, but that didn't do sh*t. it seems to me that something is heating something up, causing this annoyance (i must note that this problem started to happen after i took off the upper heatshield of my cat - damn noisy rattle) since it only starts to happen after driving around for a while.

the clutch still engages at the same point, there is no slippage, and it is still easy to move the shifter into every gear. also, there is no grinding.

what the hell is going on?? i've already spent over 300 bucks, (doh!) and i don't want to drop the tranny, only to have this problem come back again!! any feedback is much appreciated!!

 

Did you bleed your clutch after you worked on it?

 

mine does the same thing (96GSR) I think its the pressure plate causing the stiffness but try putting a dab of grease on the end of the slave rod where it contacts the fork and see if that makes the noise go away. Im changing my clutch soon so i have not messed with mine to make the noise go away. just trying the wear it out.

 

i understand that it may be a lubrication problem -- but what is bugging me is why do the symptoms only occur after the car has been operated for a period of time @ normal operating temp??

 

things change with temperature and inside the transmission area doesnt get airflow like other areas under the hood and i think that is why the noise comes after it gets nice and warm in there
i would try lubricating it and see if the noise goes away.
actually i will do mine this week and let you know

 

You can probably expect things to expand a little bit after warming up...grease should fix the problem.

 

A groaning noise when you depress the clutch is most likely a throwout bearing, it happens...

 

My 95 Civic has been doing this a year or two now. I was told it was probably the throw-out bearing and that their really wasn't a cause (like someone said it just happens). Just yesterday, I noticed another problem. Now when I have the clutch pedal pressed to the floor, like when I start the car, it's makes a noise and the car is harder to get in gear. If I let up on the pedal just a bit, the noise goes away and the car slips in gear easier. I thought maybe I need some kind of adjustment, but I thought my clutch was auto adjusting? I checked the clutch fluid level and it is fine. Any ideas?

 

TTT

 

I don't think replacing your clutch MC or slave cylinder would help, though it might, how many miles are on your clutch? And how has it been driven?