Squeaky Clutch

[Spinstorm]

I have a mystery! my clutch is squeaking and I am at a loss?

I bought the car second hand with 60,000 miles on it and the clutch
was squeaking then when ever I pressed down on it - all it did was
annoy me as its not a nice noise but it didn't cause any trouble.

I took it back to the place I bought it and they sprayed the clutch
pedal with WD40 and it seemed to fix it for a few weeks but then it
started squeaking again but it didn't in any way seem to cause any
problems so I ignored it.

At about 110,000 miles my clutch went so it was replaced but it STILL
squeaked.

At about 120,000 miles my gearbox had it and I had a reconditioned one
and another new clutch fitted ( I don't know if I needed a new clutch
but it was a different garage to the one that put the clutch in so
maybe they did it anyway to make some more money - or maybe it was
damaged when the gearbox failed - I don't know)

BUT my clutch stopped squeaking! now at around 160,000 miles it has
started squeaking again.

What is going on? Do I have a mouse living next to my engine? any
ideas would be appreciated - Is it a sign of impending doom for my
clutch or something else? I lasted with a squeaky clutch some 60,000
miles with no problems but the fact it didn't stop when I had a new
clutch put in may mean it isn't the actual clutch? only a complete
change of my gearbox and clutch seemed to stop it!

Whats the noise? what does it mean? I am at a loss!

 

[Spinstorm]

I forgot to mention its a 1998 S40 2 Litre with 161,000 miles on it!
(if that matters?)

 

[Gary Heston]

I have a mystery! my clutch is squeaking and I am at a loss?

I bought the car second hand with 60,000 miles on it and the clutch
was squeaking then when ever I pressed down on it - all it did was
annoy me as its not a nice noise but it didn't cause any trouble.

I took it back to the place I bought it and they sprayed the clutch
pedal with WD40 and it seemed to fix it for a few weeks but then it
started squeaking again but it didn't in any way seem to cause any
problems so I ignored it.

WD-40 is not a lubricant, it's mostly kerosene and will just wash
around some of the old lube. Seeing someone spray it on a squeaking
item is an immediate tipoff that they don't know what they're doing.

At about 110,000 miles my clutch went so it was replaced but it STILL
squeaked.

That's because the squeak isn't associated with the clutch itself, it's
the clutch pedal linkage under the dash.

At about 120,000 miles my gearbox had it and I had a reconditioned one
and another new clutch fitted ( I don't know if I needed a new clutch
but it was a different garage to the one that put the clutch in so
maybe they did it anyway to make some more money - or maybe it was
damaged when the gearbox failed - I don't know)

BUT my clutch stopped squeaking!

Nice garage; they lubed the linkage for you.

now at around 160,000 miles it has
started squeaking again.

What is going on? Do I have a mouse living next to my engine? any
ideas would be appreciated - Is it a sign of impending doom for my
clutch or something else? I lasted with a squeaky clutch some 60,000
miles with no problems but the fact it didn't stop when I had a new
clutch put in may mean it isn't the actual clutch? only a complete
change of my gearbox and clutch seemed to stop it!

Whats the noise? what does it mean? I am at a loss!

Whatever they lubed the linkage with dried out (probably a spray oil)
and it needs to be re-lubed. You can get a can of spray grease like
white lithium and just spray every place where there's a pivot in the
linkage. That'll get the squeak and a lot of other stuff under the dash.
Or, you can get a tube of white lithium grease and apply it directly to
the pivots. It'll help if you have someone working the pedal while you
apply the grease, to ensure better distribution.

Or, you can go to a garage and ask them to re-lube your clutch linkage
with grease. Grease will last much longer than spray oil.


Gary

 

[Spinstorm]

Thanks for the info!

so you are saying its no big deal and if I leave it all that happens
is it makes a funny noise?

Where would I apply the lubricant if I was doing it myself seeing as I
don't actually know where the clutch is in the engine area?

Thanks.

 

[Gary Heston]

Thanks for the info!
Sure.

so you are saying its no big deal and if I leave it all that happens
is it makes a funny noise?

Yes, it's not affecting the cars' operation at all.

Where would I apply the lubricant if I was doing it myself seeing as I
don't actually know where the clutch is in the engine area?

Not in the engine area, under the dash--the squeaking is from the linkages
used by the clutch pedal. Nothing you do in the engine compartment will
affect the squeak.

Look under the dashboard, where the clutch pedal is--the pedal will have
at least two pivot points, one at the top of the arm the pedal is mounted
on, and one somewhere in the middle. Lube those, and your squeak will
probably vanish. There will be an arm extending from the center pivot
towards the firewall; there may be a pivot point on the forward end, if
so, lube it.

Thanks.

You're welcome.


Gary