Hello EverybodY!
My clutch makes a grinding noise IN NEUTRAL! When i'm stopped, in neutral, with my foot OFF the clutch pedal, I hear a ginding noise. When I depress the clutch pedal, the noise stops. I have a 94 rs with 75,000 on it. Any one know why?

 

throwout bearing? I can't remember if the grinding noise associated with it starts when you are on or off the pedal, but I think it's off. Anyone confirm this?

 

Some dumb ideas...

Clutch throw-out bearing. When its unloaded its making a loose rattling sound. When you press the clutch pedal you're pushing against the T-O bearing & it immediately quiets down. When you're driving (without your foot on the clutch) the noise is covered up by all the other noises...

Transmission bearing(s) - input shaft or ?? When the input shaft is spinning one of its bearings makes noise. Or maybe a synchronizer? When you disengage the clutch the input shaft takes a few seconds to coast to a stop, so the noise takes a second or 2 to quit.

Cross your fingers & hope its the T-O bearing cause that's easier. (cheaper) Maybe you can put a piece of hose up to your ear & narrow down the location of the noise?

PS... As soon as I posted this I saw DelSolSIinMD's note. I've heard T-O bearings go either way. Sometimes they get loose & rattle when they're NOT loaded. Sometimes they make grinding noises when they are loaded. The only one I had myself was loose & rattled when it was not loaded. The key is that the noise stopped IMMEDIATELY when I disengaged the clutch. Input shaft bearings should take a couple seconds to spin down.

 

Thanks for the responses. And thank you for answering the qeistion about the clutch. After reading my own post, I thought some wise guy would answer as to why I have a '94 rs.

 

I would just like to add that i have this identical problem, and had my clutch and throw out bearing replaced.

I experience the symptom of when i let the clutch out it takes 2-3 seconds for the grindy (almost hissy) noise to fade away, is that pretty much a sure fire indication that its a input shaft bearing?

I also have horrible loud, yet similar grindy noises when downshifting, or letting any load go on the transmission to slow the car down at all.

Also, if i'm going say 3000rpm in 2nd (or 3rd) and i just let my foot off the accelerator altogether, i dont get a nice smooth gradual slowdown, its immediately lurchy. its very hard to get it to NOT lurch when letting my foot off the accelerator EVER actually..

I know my transmission is hosed, i just dont want to face the facts (or bill!)