Hi, I was wondering if someone could help me diagnose my problem.

To start the story, I purchased a 87 base model about 6 months ago. I had to immediately replaced the clutch, including throwout and pilot bearing because they were broken. When I completed the installation, the car drove fine but whenever the clutch pedal was pressed, there was a 'wining' noise that stayed on until the clutch was released. You could only really hear the noise when stopped because it isn't that loud. I probably didn't properly grease the throwout bearing, that was all I could think of that was wrong. (This was my first time doing any serious work on a vehicle.) I made a post and talked to some car savvy friends, and they said it was probably OK. So ~ 6k miles and 6 months later, the noise is still there, possibly a tiny bit louder, but still much quieter than the exhaust noise.

However, now there is a new problem. When I change into gear and release the clutch there is a louder (Still not too much louder than my exhaust, and you can I only noticed it when the windows were open) metallic noise. It is difficult to describe, sounds to me like metal against metal scraping. It seems also rather erratic as to when it comes on. I don't hear the noise unless the car is in gear. The noise also seems to come up more often if I let the engine slow the car down, i.e. release the gas without releasing the clutch while moving.

It is quite a frightening noise.
I have no clue how to diagnose this problem. Right now the rear of the car is on jackstands so I can "drive" without moving. (aids in hearing the noise better.)

Does this sound like a clutch/throwout bearing/pilot bearing problem?
Any ideas which of the three it could be?
Is it possible the flywheel is damaged?
Any other input/questions/suggestions would be great!

Thanks in advance!

 

the metalic noise could be the bearings in the trany, when they are going bad they wills tart making more noise..... check and see if the trany is full of fluid???

 

I'll check that after work, but I filled it up after doing the tranny install, and I haven't seen any oil leaks.
(Bump for the daytime crowd.)

 

Inspect the U-joints also.
Normally the U-joint bearing seals will show some grease residue.
If you see any rust colored deposits at the seals, the U-joint bearings have started to fail.

 

Did you inspect the pilot bearing when you had the tranny down?

 

Check your tranny fluid

 

I replaced the clutch 6 months ago because the pilot bearing had failed. Some of the pilot bearing's bearing rods actually fell out one by one when I took out the tranny. I replaced both the pilot and throwout bearings along with the clutch at that time.

The U-joints on the driveshaft? I will inspect them after work along with the tranny fluid level.

 

U-Joints look fine...
I think the problem is internal to my transmission. The noise occurs when in any gear at any speed, and just gets louder at seemingly random points. Something must be loose inside it.

 

The transmission oil level is fine, but the color is much greyer than when I put it in, and might even have a metallic look to it. (I used royal purple synchromesh.)