[vLGrok]

New this week, after the 04 SR has been sitting overnight, when I press the clutch pedal, there is a grinding sound for a second, the same as if I had missed a shift. The trans is in neutral and shifter not yet touched. The car has warmed up for 60+ seconds as always.

Searched and read a lot of posts about failed slave cylinders, installing clutch kits and flywheels, but didn't read about someone experiencing this symptom. I'm worried it might be gear box, but am hopeful its something less pricey. How can I narrow this down and determine the cause?

It's happened the last 3 days, only after the car has been sitting for 8+ hours.

Had all fluids flushed and replaced about 4 months ago using fluid list from this forum.

 

[BMac_R]

New this week, after the 04 SR has been sitting overnight, when I press the clutch pedal, there is a grinding sound for a second, the same as if I had missed a shift. The trans is in neutral and shifter not yet touched. The car has warmed up for 60+ seconds as always.

Searched and read a lot of posts about failed slave cylinders, installing clutch kits and flywheels, but didn't read about someone experiencing this symptom. I'm worried it might be gear box, but am hopeful its something less pricey. How can I narrow this down and determine the cause?

It's happened the last 3 days, only after the car has been sitting for 8+ hours.

Had all fluids flushed and replaced about 4 months ago using fluid list from this forum.

Essentially it could be any of the clutch components and as you stated it could very well be premature exploding of the slave cylinder. I have also had cases where the bolts on my actual tranny housing have come loose so that is something worth taking a look at but honestly your best bet would be to take it to a specialist as they can put it on a lift and pinpoint the sound and they have the knowledge to find the problem. Most specialists will waive the fee associated with the diagnostic time as long as you get the issue fixed there.

 

[vLGrok]

Developer here I work with suggested fluids, which I wouldn't have suspected since it was just serviced, but its the same guy who didn't fully reattach one of my calipers causing gouging of a wheel. Will be checking that at lunchtime.

He also mentioned pilot bearing as a possibility.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-transmission/1284277-what-signs-pilot-bearing-going-out.html

 

[PassionRed91]

Developer here I work with suggested fluids, which I wouldn't have suspected since it was just serviced, but its the same guy who didn't fully reattach one of my calipers causing gouging of a wheel. Will be checking that at lunchtime.

He also mentioned pilot bearing as a possibility.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-transmission/1284277-what-signs-pilot-bearing-going-out.html

Fluids would def not cause a grinding, unless there was metal chunks floating around in your fluids Sounds a lot like your throwout (pilot) bearing

 

[vLGrok]

Now is throwout bearing for automatics and pilot for manual, or do we have both?

 

[BMac_R]

Now is throwout bearing for automatics and pilot for manual, or do we have both?

Throwout bearings (Pilot) bearings are present in manual transmissions. Yes.

 

[ari951]

New this week, after the 04 SR has been sitting overnight, when I press the clutch pedal, there is a grinding sound for a second, the same as if I had missed a shift. The trans is in neutral and shifter not yet touched. The car has warmed up for 60+ seconds as always.

Searched and read a lot of posts about failed slave cylinders, installing clutch kits and flywheels, but didn't read about someone experiencing this symptom. I'm worried it might be gear box, but am hopeful its something less pricey. How can I narrow this down and determine the cause?

It's happened the last 3 days, only after the car has been sitting for 8+ hours.

Had all fluids flushed and replaced about 4 months ago using fluid list from this forum.

How many miles on the car? It sounds as if the clutch disc itself has delaminated to the point where you have friction material in the bell housing or the friction material is barely hanging on the disc. This is from the failing slave cylinder. The brake fluid leaks onto the clutch disc causing this delamination to occur. Have you had any low brake fluid warning lights? Have you checked if the reservoir is low? If it is clutch failure, then do not drive the car. It may be drivable for a while, but you run the risk of damaging the flywheel $$$. Last question, Did you smell the clutch burning at all?

 

[urinalcake]

How many miles on the car? It sounds as if the clutch disc itself has delaminated to the point where you have friction material in the bell housing or the friction material is barely hanging on the disc. This is from the failing slave cylinder. The brake fluid leaks onto the clutch disc causing this delamination to occur. Have you had any low brake fluid warning lights? Have you checked if the reservoir is low? If it is clutch failure, then do not drive the car. It may be drivable for a while, but you run the risk of damaging the flywheel $$$. Last question, Did you smell the clutch burning at all?

This.

I had the same grinding after my slave went but before the clutch fully failed.

The good news is, our cars are very easy to drive and shift with no clutch. Even after coming to a complete stop, if you have to, only requires a quick bump of the starter to get rolling again. I had to do this to drive her home from Watkins glen, but if you can get a tow truck to pull you, that might be better.

When my mechanic finally pulled the tranny apart, the clutch disc fell out in a shower of chunks and powder. Good times...

 

[BMac_R]

Make sure to check your Flux Capacitor as well..

 

[ari951]

This.

I had the same grinding after my slave went but before the clutch fully failed.

The good news is, our cars are very easy to drive and shift with no clutch. Even after coming to a complete stop, if you have to, only requires a quick bump of the starter to get rolling again. I had to do this to drive her home from Watkins glen, but if you can get a tow truck to pull you, that might be better.

When my mechanic finally pulled the tranny apart, the clutch disc fell out in a shower of chunks and powder. Good times...

HA HA, that's about my story as well. Only I damaged my shifter cables with my anger towards my R at the time.

 

[vLGrok]

How many miles on the car? It sounds as if the clutch disc itself has delaminated to the point where you have friction material in the bell housing or the friction material is barely hanging on the disc. This is from the failing slave cylinder. The brake fluid leaks onto the clutch disc causing this delamination to occur. Have you had any low brake fluid warning lights? Have you checked if the reservoir is low? If it is clutch failure, then do not drive the car. It may be drivable for a while, but you run the risk of damaging the flywheel $$$. Last question, Did you smell the clutch burning at all?

118k miles. No brake warning lights. Checking brake fluid reservoir and tranny fluid at lunch. No burning smell, yet.

 

[mune237]

Now is throwout bearing for automatics and pilot for manual, or do we have both?

Throwout / release bearings and pilot bearings are two different components, And yes, manuals have both.

Sounds like a throw out bearing giving up.

 

[ari951]

118k miles. No brake warning lights. Checking brake fluid reservoir and tranny fluid at lunch. No burning smell, yet.

118K. It is time for a clutch. Good luck.

 

[vLGrok]

118K. It is time for a clutch. Good luck.

I know I've been fortunate so far. Have a full list of parts written for service when it happens (if it's not now). Clutch kit, Slave Cylinder, Flywheel, Torque Valve, Sleeve/Coupler, Seals ..

 

[MountainR]

Get yourself a viva single mass flywheel! Cheaper than OEM and so much more fun!

 

[rogersampson]

I agree with Mune237. If this only occurs when depressing the clutch, it is most likely the throwout bearing. The actual throwout bearing is integral with the slave cylinder, so both get replaced as a unit.

The pilot bearing is different, it is located at the center of the crank/flywheel, and centers the input shaft of the transmission. The throwout bearing slides on the input shaft of the transmission and rides against the pressure plate diaphragm.