Clutch "Crickets" - Help
 

I have a 2000 GT Conv with 40K on it. Whenever the clutch petal is up, I can hear a "cricket" sounding noise (kind of a chirp/squak). This noise is noticeable when driving or at ideal...whenever the clutch is not pressed. If I tap the clutch lightly, the sound stops. You can't hear it with the windows up, but is is noticeable with the top down.

Does anyone know what this might be?

t/o bearing most likely.

TOB
 

Yea, definitely time to throw out the the throw-out bearing (like you've never heard that before! :rolleyes: ).

My original one didn't do it after 100k miles, but when I got a new clutch, the replacement T.O.B. chirped after only 15k miles (just 3k over warrant period!). My g/f's V6 pony is also doing the same thing w/about 50k miles.

Good time to upgrade the clutch b/c they will have to pull the tranny, etc. to get to it.

cheap part, but expensive on labor.

--Javier

Thank you for the replies! I will probably let it go for a while as I will put the car away for the winter. Could this cause a problem? or should I have it fixed right away? My car is still under an extended bumper to bumper warrenty but they may consider this a "wear" item. Maybe I will get lucky!

ok.....for now....
 

It should be ok for a little while, but I wouldn't let it go too long. Mine's been chirping for a few thousand miles w/o a major problem, except I've been recently starting to feel the pedal a little loose.

Not sure how long my g/f's car has been doing it, but a couple months at least.

YMMV, so do it as soon as you can.

--Javier

I would not wait to long I have seen a few come apart

I had the car checked out today by the service manager at a Ford Dealer. It was confirmed that the noise is from the TOB (as all of you had guessed) but he suggested that the noise is very minor and is most likely the result of a high-spot on the bearing. He stated that if it were his car, even if he were to do the work himself, he would not as he feels that the effort is not worth it. The cost of the repair is close to $500 which is mostly labor. He thought that the clutch felt fine and that I should wait until the car needs a new clutch before doing so much work.

For now, I will wait until I start to feel any problems with the clutch or the chirping becomes more of a problem. And at that point, I will probably make some trany upgrades.

Thanks!

I had the same problem on my 2001 cobra after only 20k.The ford dealership here waranteed it. I don't think that they will warranty the clutch, but they should cover the bearing.While it's out, you could get a new clutch/pressure plate and have them install it and maybe save a few bucks since they already have it apart.

Brandon

Kinda different with me.Now that i won't be using my system in the car,i was driving around without any music or other background noises,and i noticed one thing.When my clutch is not pressed everything is fine.Bt when i even just slightly press the clutch i can hear those crickets as you call em.

Sounds like the same situation, but just not as bad yet.The longer it goes without fixing, the more you will have to press in your clutch.

Does the bearing usually come with an aftermarket clutch?Because i was gonna get a performance clutch anyway.

Yeah, it usually comes with a clutch,pressure plate,and throwout bearing.