Clutch Diagnostics Help

[rangman]

I have 2002 ranger /w manual 5 speed, 2.3L 16 valve engine. I need help on understanding clutch noise. When the truck is in neutral and I press in the clutch I start having a squeaking abrasive noise. The noise goes away when I release the clutch. The noise gets worse when the truck is in gear and clutch pressed in but goes away after clutch is released and you have taken off in first gear. My question is where is this noise coming from? Throw out bearing? Pilot bearing? Clutch slave cylinder? How do you differentiate between these culprit’s? Any experienced suggestions would be helpful.

 

[adsm08]

I'd guess TOB. Pilots usually make noise all the time except in 4th. The fact that it goes away when you put pressure against the the pressure plate and throw out bearing.

 

[rangman]

Thanks for your help and input I really appreciate it. I strongly suspect TOB myself. I am still looking for someone out there who has replaced Clutch slave cylinder or the Pilot bearing. Maybe they can describe what there symptoms were or noises so I can eliminate the items one by one.

 

[adsm08]

The slave won't make a noise, it will cause the clutch to not release. I had my pilot disintegrate on me last summer and it make a scrapping, bad bearing kind of noise all the time, except in 4th. Didn't really change with clutch position or gear (except when moving int 4th).

 

[rangman]

Well adsm08 you sound like you certainly know what you are talking about. Again I realy appreciate the advice and even more than ever suspect the TOB after your input. I was online doing parts hunting for replacement parts for this job. I have found they make clutch replacement kits now days. Since I have not replaced a clutch literally in 30 years things have changed for replacement parts. Kind of a one stop shop out there now. I found what I consider to be a reputable kit by Gripforce. This should cover everything I need pressure plate, clutch, TOB, pilot bearing, even the alignment tool. I had to buy the alignment tool & get the pressure plate resurfaced and etc. for the old 67 small block Camaro 4 speed trannie 30 years ago. Things are different but progress is good.... Again thanks for the information and help.

 

[adsm08]

Glad to help.

Don't forget to but a new slave cylinder and replace that while you are in there. For some reason the M5 slaves don't like to be reused, even the Motorcraft ones. If you don't replace it now while you are in there the trans will need to come out again within a month.

 

[rangman]

So the slave will be a problem also.... I guess I need to buy one also..... Thanks again.

 

[trail B2]

The other thing that's changed is it's just as cheap to buy a new flywheel as it is to have the old one surfaced.